Stable Solid Formulation of a GC-C Receptor Agonist Polypeptide Suitable for Oral Administration

ABSTRACT

Solid, stable formulations of linaclotide suitable for oral administration are described herein as are methods for preparing such formulations. The formulations described herein contain a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence Cys Cys Glu Tyr Cys Cys Asn Pro Ala Cys Thr Gly Cys Tyr (“linaclotide”; SEQ ID NO:1) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The linaclotide formulations described herein are stable and have a sufficient shelf life for manufacturing, storing and distributing the drug.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a continuation of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/066,204 filed Oct. 8, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/784,510 filed Feb. 7, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/420,908 filed May 23, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/129,951 filed Sep. 13, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/862,026 filed Jan. 4, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/602,628 filed May 23, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/288,458 filed Oct. 7, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/050,717 filed Feb. 23, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/799,936 filed Jul. 15, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/597,599 filed Jan. 15, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/286,062 filed May 23, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/541,410 filed Aug. 14, 2009. This application also claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/231,725 filed Aug. 6, 2009; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/273,332 filed Aug. 3, 2009; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/089,422 filed Aug. 15, 2008; entitled “Stable Solid Formulation of a GC-C Receptor Agonist Polypeptide Suitable for Oral Administration”. The entire contents of the aforementioned applications are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

This disclosure concerns solid formulations of a guanylate cyclase-C receptor agonist polypeptide suitable for oral administration and methods for preparing such formulations.

SEQUENCE LISTING

This application incorporates by reference in its entirety the Sequence Listing entitled “IW057US1CON3_ST25.txt” (1.98 kilobytes), which was last revised on Jan. 15, 2015 and filed electronically herewith.

BACKGROUND

Many therapeutic polypeptides are formulated in aqueous solution because they are most active in this form. However, most polypeptides are not particularly stable in aqueous solution, such that the formulations often have a short half-life and require refrigeration. Although aqueous solutions of polypeptides can be dried by freeze-drying, spray-drying or other methods, such dried formulations may also be unstable and have reduced activity relative to an aqueous solution of the polypeptide. Typical break-down mechanisms that occur both in aqueous solution and in dried formulations include aggregation and oxidative or hydrolytic degradation. Thus, the majority of therapeutic polypeptides, whether in aqueous solution or dried, are stored under refrigerated conditions due to their limited stability.

Linaclotide is a peptide having the amino acid sequence Cys Cys Glu Tyr Cys Cys Asn Pro Ala Cys Thr Gly Cys Tyr (SEQ ID NO: 1) that activates the guanylate cyclase-C(GC-C) receptor. Linaclotide, which may be administered orally, is useful for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders and conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and chronic constipation (CC). Formulations comprising linaclotide have needed to be refrigerated in order to avoid degradation over time. However, refrigeration is inconvenient both for commercial distribution of the drug and for storage by patients. Thus, there is a need to have a solid linaclotide formulation that is stable at room temperature for at least 12 months.

SUMMARY

Solid, stable formulations of linaclotide suitable for oral administration are described herein as are methods for preparing such formulations. The formulations described herein contain a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence Cys Cys Glu Tyr Cys Cys Asn Pro Ala Cys Thr Gly Cys Tyr (“linaclotide”; SEQ ID NO: 1) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The linaclotide formulations described herein are stable and have a sufficient shelf life for manufacturing, storing and distributing the drug. For example, formulations described herein are expected to have a shelf life of at least 12 months at room temperature storage conditions (e.g., 25° C./60% relative humidity (RH)). In further embodiments, the formulations described herein are expected to have a shelf life of at least 18 months or at least 24 months at room temperature storage conditions (e.g., 25° C./60% RH).

In some embodiments, formulations are described wherein ≥95% of the original amount of linaclotide in the composition remains after three months when packaged samples are stored at accelerated conditions (40° C./75% RH) when assessed in an assay on a weight/weight basis as determined by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) against a linaclotide reference standard. In further embodiments, ≥90% of the original amount of linaclotide in the composition remains after at least 6 months when packaged samples are stored at accelerated conditions (40° C./75% RH). In other embodiments, formulations are described wherein chromatographic purity of the linaclotide as determined as area percent by HPLC remains at ≥95% over the course of at least three months when packaged samples are stored at accelerated conditions (40° C./75% RH). In further embodiments, the chromatographic purity of the linaclotide as determined by area percent by HPLC remains at ≥90% over the course of at least 6 months when packaged samples are stored at accelerated conditions (40° C./75% RH). Thus, for example, no more than about 10% of the linaclotide undergoes degradation to other products such as an oxidation product of linaclotide, a hydrolysis product of linaclotide or a formaldehyde-mediated imine product of linaclotide (“formaldehyde imine product”).

In one embodiment, the invention comprises a pharmaceutical composition comprising linaclotide, wherein the chromatographic purity of the linaclotide decreases by less than 10% after 18 months or 24 months of storage of the pharmaceutical composition at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant. In a further embodiment, the chromatographic purity of the linaclotide decreases by less than 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4% or 2% after 18 months or 24 months of storage of the pharmaceutical composition at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant. In another embodiment, the invention comprises a pharmaceutical composition comprising linaclotide, wherein the chromatographic purity of the linaclotide decreases by less than 10% after 3 months or 6 months of storage of the pharmaceutical composition at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant. In a further embodiment, the chromatographic purity of the linaclotide decreases by less than 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4% or 2% after 3 months or 6 months of storage of the pharmaceutical composition at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant.

In one embodiment, the invention comprises a unit dosage form of a pharmaceutical composition comprising linaclotide, wherein the chromatographic purity of the linaclotide decreases by less than 10% after 18 months or 24 months of storage of the unit dosage form at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant. In a further embodiment, the chromatographic purity of the linaclotide decreases by less than 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4% or 2% after 18 months or 24 months of storage of the unit dosage form at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant. In another embodiment, the invention comprises a unit dosage form of a pharmaceutical composition comprising linaclotide, wherein the chromatographic purity of the linaclotide decreases by less than 10% after 3 months or 6 months of storage of the unit dosage form at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant. In a further embodiment, the chromatographic purity of the linaclotide decreases by less than 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4% or 2% after 3 months or 6 months of storage of the unit dosage form at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant.

In one embodiment, the invention comprises a sealed container comprising a plurality of unit dosage forms of a pharmaceutical composition comprising linaclotide, wherein the chromatographic purity of the linaclotide decreases by less than 10% after 18 months or 24 months of storage of the sealed container containing a desiccant at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity. In a further embodiment, the chromatographic purity of the linaclotide decreases by less than 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4% or 2% after 18 months or 24 months of storage of the sealed container containing a desiccant at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity. In another embodiment, the invention comprises a sealed container comprising a plurality of unit dosage forms of a pharmaceutical composition comprising linaclotide, wherein the chromatographic purity of the linaclotide decreases by less than 10% after 3 months or 6 months of storage of the sealed container containing a desiccant at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity. In a further embodiment, the chromatographic purity of the linaclotide decreases by less than 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4% or 2% after 3 months or 6 months of storage of the sealed container containing a desiccant at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity.

In one embodiment, the invention comprises a pharmaceutical composition comprising linaclotide, wherein the assay value for linaclotide determined on a weight/weight basis decreases by less than 10% after 18 months or 24 months of storage of the pharmaceutical composition at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant. In a further embodiment, the assay value for linaclotide determined on a weight/weight basis decreases by less than 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2% or 1% after 18 months or 24 months of storage of the pharmaceutical composition at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant. In another embodiment, the invention comprises a pharmaceutical composition comprising linaclotide, wherein the assay value for linaclotide determined on a weight/weight basis decreases by less than 10% after 3 months or 6 months of storage of the pharmaceutical composition at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant. In a further embodiment, the chromatographic purity of the linaclotide decreases by less than 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2% or 1% after 3 months or 6 months of storage of the pharmaceutical composition at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant.

In one embodiment, the invention comprises a unit dosage form of a pharmaceutical composition comprising linaclotide, wherein the assay value for linaclotide determined on a weight/weight basis decreases by less than 10% after 18 months or 24 months of storage of the unit dosage form at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant. In a further embodiment, the assay value for linaclotide determined on a weight/weight basis decreases by less than 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2% or 1% after 18 months or 24 months of storage of the unit dosage form at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant. In another embodiment, the invention comprises a unit dosage form of a pharmaceutical composition comprising linaclotide, wherein the assay value for linaclotide determined on a weight/weight basis decreases by less than 10% after 3 months or 6 months of storage of the unit dosage form at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant. In a further embodiment, the assay value for linaclotide determined on a weight/weight basis decreases by less than 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2% or 1% after 3 months or 6 months of storage of the unit dosage form at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant.

In one embodiment, the invention comprises a sealed container comprising a plurality of unit dosage forms of a pharmaceutical composition comprising linaclotide, wherein the assay value for linaclotide determined on a weight/weight basis decreases by less than 10% after 18 months or 24 months of storage of the sealed container at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant. In a further embodiment, the assay value for linaclotide determined on a weight/weight basis decreases by less than 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2% or 1% after 18 months or 24 months of storage of the sealed container containing a desiccant at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity. In another embodiment, the invention comprises a sealed container comprising a plurality of unit dosage forms of a pharmaceutical composition comprising linaclotide, wherein the assay value for linaclotide determined on a weight/weight basis decreases by less than 10% after 3 months or 6 months of storage of the sealed container containing a desiccant at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity. In a further embodiment, the assay value for linaclotide determined on a weight/weight basis decreases by less than 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2% or 1% after 3 months or 6 months of storage of the sealed container containing a desiccant at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity.

In some embodiments, there is provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising linaclotide and a hydrolysis product comprising:

In some embodiments, the hydrolysis product comprises less than about 15% by weight of the composition, less than about 10% by weight of the composition, less than about 7% by weight of the composition or less than about 5% by weight of the composition. In other embodiments, the hydrolysis product comprises from about 0.01% to about 15% by weight of the composition, about 0.05% to about 10% by weight of the composition, about 0.05% to about 7% by weight of the composition or about 0.05% to about 5% by weight of the composition. In further embodiments, there is provided a method of treating a gastrointestinal disorder in a patient in need thereof comprising administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising linaclotide and a hydrolysis product.

In some embodiments, there is provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising linaclotide and a formaldehyde imine product comprising:

In some embodiments, the formaldehyde imine product comprises less than about 15% by weight of the composition, less than about 10% by weight of the composition, less than about 7% by weight of the composition or less than about 5% by weight of the composition. In other exemplary embodiments, the formaldehyde imine product comprises from about 0.01% to about 15% by weight of the composition, about 0.05% to about 10% by weight of the composition, about 0.05% to about 7% by weight of the composition or about 0.05% to about 5% by weight of the composition. In further embodiments, there is provided a method of treating a gastrointestinal disorder in a patient in need thereof comprising administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising linaclotide and a formaldehyde imine product.

In some embodiments, there is provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising linaclotide and a linaclotide oxidation product. In one embodiment, the linaclotide oxidation product has a molecular weight of 1542.8, which most likely forms as the addition of a single oxygen atom to one of the six cysteinyl sulfurs in linaclotide. One potential structure of the product is depicted below, although one of skill in the art will recognize that the oxygen atom may be attached to any of the other five sulfurs:

In another embodiment, there may be an addition of more than one oxygen atom to linaclotide, which would increase its molecular weight by 16 AU per added oxygen atom.

In some embodiments, the linaclotide oxidation product comprises less than about 15% by weight of the composition, less than about 10% by weight of the composition, less than about 7% by weight of the composition or less than about 5% by weight of the composition. In other exemplary embodiments, the linaclotide oxidation product comprises from about 0.01% to about 15% by weight of the composition, about 0.05% to about 10% by weight of the composition, about 0.05% to about 7% by weight of the composition or about 0.05% to about 5% by weight of the composition. In further embodiments, there is provided a method of treating a gastrointestinal disorder in a patient in need thereof comprising administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising linaclotide and a linaclotide oxidation product.

The assay value on a weight/weight basis (“weight/weight assay”) may be determined by comparing, e.g., by HPLC, the amount of linaclotide in a sample, to a linaclotide reference standard. As used herein, the weight of linaclotide in a composition after storage at room temperature or accelerated conditions at a specified time point (e.g., three or six months of storage under accelerated conditions [40° C./75% RH] or 12, 18 or 24 months of storage under room temperature conditions [25° C./60% RH]) is compared to the weight of linaclotide in a composition at an initial time (e.g., the time when the pharmaceutical composition is released for clinical or patient use (“the release date”)) to provide the weight/weight assay value. For example, the weight of linaclotide in a composition is measured after storage for a specified time at accelerated conditions (40° C./75% RH) and compared to the weight of linaclotide that was present in the sample at the release date. In another example, the weight of linaclotide in a composition is measured after storage for a specified time at room temperature conditions (25° C./60% RH) and compared to the weight of linaclotide that was present in the sample at the release date. Thus, the phrase “≥90% of the original amount of linaclotide in the composition remains after at least 6 months when packaged samples are stored at accelerated conditions (40° C./75% RH)” means the weight of linaclotide in the composition measured in an assay on a weight/weight basis as determined by HPLC after at least 6 months storage at accelerated conditions is ≥90% of the amount of linaclotide in the composition present at the initial time (e.g., the release date of the linaclotide composition).

Chromatographic purity of linaclotide may be assessed by performing HPLC under the conditions described herein. The area under the linaclotide peak is measured and compared to the total area under all peaks excluding the solvent peak and any non-polypeptide related peaks (i.e., peaks associated with excipients that may be observed in a placebo). As used herein, the chromatographic purity of linaclotide in a composition after storage at room temperature or accelerated conditions at a specified time point (e.g., three or six months of storage under accelerated conditions [40° C./75% RH] or 12, 18 or 24 months of storage under room temperature conditions [25° C./60% RH]) is compared to the chromatographic purity of linaclotide in a composition at an initial time (e.g., the time when the pharmaceutical composition is released for clinical or patient use (“the release date”)) to provide the chromatographic purity value. For example, the chromatographic purity of linaclotide in a composition is measured after storage for a specified time at accelerated conditions (40° C./75% RH) and compared to the chromatographic purity of linaclotide in the composition at the release date. In another example, the chromatographic purity of linaclotide in a composition is measured after storage for a specified time at room temperature conditions (25° C./60% RH) and compared to the chromatographic purity of linaclotide in the composition at the release date.

This disclosure features a method for preparing a pharmaceutical composition comprising linaclotide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, the method comprising: (a) providing a solution, e.g., an aqueous solution (“the coating solution”), comprising: (i) linaclotide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; (ii) a cation selected from Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺ or Al³⁺ and/or a sterically hindered primary amine (e.g., leucine) and, optionally, (iii) a pharmaceutically acceptable binder; and (b) applying the coating solution to a pharmaceutically acceptable filler to generate polypeptide-coated filler (e.g., by spraying, mixing or coating the pharmaceutically acceptable filler with the coating solution). The method can optionally include one or more of: (i) blending the polypeptide-coated filler with a pharmaceutically acceptable glidant, a pharmaceutically acceptable lubricant or a pharmaceutically acceptable additive that acts as both a glidant and lubricant; (ii) blending the polypeptide-coated filler with filler that is not polypeptide-coated, (iii) blending the polypeptide-coated filler with other additives; (iii) applying a pharmaceutically acceptable coating additive to the polypeptide-coated filler. The final pharmaceutical composition can be placed into capsules (e.g., gelatin capsule) or used to form tablets.

It has been found that a cation selected from Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺ or Al³⁺ is useful for suppressing the formation of an oxidation product of linaclotide during storage. It has also been found that a sterically hindered primary amine, e.g., leucine, is useful for suppressing the formation of a formaldehyde imine adduct of linaclotide (“formaldehyde imine product”) during storage. Thus, a linaclotide formulation comprising a cation selected from Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺ or Al³⁺ (e.g., a divalent cation selected from Zn²⁺, Mg²⁺ or Ca²⁺) and/or a sterically hindered primary amine, such as an amino acid, has a sufficient shelf life (as measured by chromatographic purity and/or by a weight/weight assay) for manufacturing, storing and distributing the drug. Further, while the presence of a sterically hindered amine alone can increase the formation of a hydrolysis product of linaclotide during storage, the combination of a sterically hindered primary amine and a cation, e.g., the combination of leucine and Ca²⁺, suppresses the formation of the hydrolysis product of linaclotide as well as the oxidation product of linaclotide during storage, leading to an even greater overall stability as determined by a weight/weight assay and/or by chromatographic purity.

In some embodiments, there is provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, linaclotide and one or more agents selected from Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺ or Al³⁺ and a sterically hindered primary amine, wherein the agent improves at least one attribute of the composition, relative to a pharmaceutical composition without said agent. In further embodiments, the agent is Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ or Zn²⁺. In a further embodiment, the agent is Ca²⁺. In some embodiments, the cation is provided as, without limitation, magnesium acetate, magnesium chloride, magnesium phosphate, magnesium sulfate, calcium acetate, calcium chloride, calcium phosphate, calcium sulfate, zinc acetate, zinc chloride, zinc phosphate, zinc sulfate, manganese acetate, manganese chloride, manganese phosphate, manganese sulfate, potassium acetate, potassium chloride, potassium phosphate, potassium sulfate, sodium acetate, sodium chloride, sodium phosphate, sodium sulfate, aluminum acetate, aluminum chloride, aluminum phosphate or aluminum sulfate. In further embodiments, the cation is provided as magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, calcium phosphate, calcium sulfate, zinc acetate, manganese chloride, potassium chloride, sodium chloride or aluminum chloride. In other embodiments, the cation is provided as calcium chloride, magnesium chloride or zinc acetate.

In another embodiment, the agent is a sterically hindered primary amine. In a further embodiment, the sterically hindered primary amine is an amino acid. In yet a further embodiment, the amino acid is a naturally-occurring amino acid. In a still further embodiment, the naturally-occurring amino acid is selected from the group consisting of: histidine, phenylalanine, alanine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, glutamine, leucine, methionine, asparagine, tyrosine, threonine, isoleucine, tryptophan, methionine and valine; yet further, the naturally-occurring amino acid is leucine, isoleucine, alanine or methionine; in another embodiment, the naturally-occurring amino acid is leucine or methionine; still further, the naturally-occurring amino acid is leucine. In another embodiment, the sterically hindered primary amine is a non-naturally occurring amino acid or amino acid derivative (e.g., 1-aminocyclohexane carboxylic acid, lanthionine or theanine). In a further embodiment, the sterically hindered primary amine is cyclohexylamine, 2-methylbutylamine or chitosan.

In other embodiments, there is provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, linaclotide, a cation selected from Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺ or Al³⁺ (e.g., a divalent cation selected from Zn²⁺, Mg²⁺ or Ca²⁺) and a sterically hindered primary amine. In one embodiment, the cation is Ca²⁺. In another embodiment, the cation is a mixture of two or three of Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺ or Al³⁺ (e.g., a mixture of two or three of Zn²⁺, Mg²⁺ or Ca²⁺). In a further embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable binder and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable glidant, lubricant or additive that acts as both a glidant and lubricant and/or an antioxidant. In a further embodiment, the sterically hindered primary amine is an amino acid. In yet a further embodiment, the amino acid is a naturally-occurring amino acid. In a still further embodiment, the naturally-occurring amino acid is selected from the group consisting of: histidine, phenylalanine, alanine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, glutamine, leucine, methionine, asparagine, tyrosine, threonine, isoleucine, tryptophan, methionine and valine; yet further, the naturally-occurring amino acid is leucine, isoleucine, alanine or methionine; in another embodiment, the naturally-occurring amino acid is leucine or methionine; still further, the naturally-occurring amino acid is leucine. In another embodiment, the sterically hindered primary amine can be a mixture of more than one sterically hindered primary amines. For example, the sterically hindered primary amine may be a mixture of two or more sterically hindered primary amines, e.g., a mixture of two or more amino acids.

In some cases the molar ratio of cation:sterically hindered primary amine:linaclotide (e.g., Ca²⁺:leucine:linaclotide) in the aqueous solution applied to the carrier is 5-100:5-50:1. It can be desirable for the molar ratio of cation:sterically hindered primary amine (e.g., Ca²⁺:leucine) to be equal to or greater than 2:1 (e.g., between 5:1 and 2:1). Thus, in some cases the molar ratio of cation:sterically hindered primary amine:linaclotide (e.g., Ca²⁺:leucine:linaclotide) applied to the carrier is 100:50:1, 100:30:1, 80:40:1, 80:30:1, 80:20:1, 60:30:1, 60:20:1, 50:30:1, 50:20:1, 40:20:1, 20:20:1, 10:10:1, 10:5:1 or 5:10:1. When binder, e.g., methylcellulose, is present in the linaclotide solution applied to the carrier it can be present at 0.5%-2.5% by weight (e.g., 0.7%-1.7% or 0.7%-1% or 1.5% or 0.7%).

The weight of linaclotide applied to a given weight of filler (e.g., microcrystalline cellulose) can vary from about 0.02:100 to about 2.67:100. Thus, about 0.05 mg to about 6.0 mg of linaclotide can be applied to 225 mg of filler. In a further embodiment, the weight of linaclotide applied to a given weight of filler is about 0.05 mg to about 2.0 mg of linaclotide (e.g., 0.1, 0.2, 0.3. 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7 mg peptide for 225 mg of filler).

In various embodiments: the sterically hindered primary amine is an amino acid (e.g., a naturally-occurring amino acid or a naturally-occurring amino acid selected from histidine, phenylalanine, alanine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, glutamine, methionine, asparagine, tyrosine, threonine, leucine, isoleucine, tryptophan, or valine). In other cases the sterically hindered primary amine is a non-naturally occurring amino acid or amino acid derivative (e.g., lanthionine, theanine or 1-amino cyclohexane). In other cases, the sterically hindered primary amine is an amino sugar (e.g., chitosan or glucosamine).

In some cases, the sterically hindered primary amine has the formula:

wherein R₁, R₂ and R₃ are independently selected from: H; —C(O)OH; C1-C6 alkyl, optionally substituted by —CO₂H, —CONH₂, or a 5-10 membered aryl or heteroaryl; C1-C6 alkoxyalkyl; or C1-C6 thioalkoxyalkyl, wherein any of the alkyl or aryl groups above can be singly or multiply substituted with halogen or —NH₂, and provided that no more than two of R₁, R₂ and R₃ are H. In a further embodiment, no more than one of R₁, R₂ and R₃ is H.

The term “alkyl”, as used herein, refers to a saturated linear or branched-chain monovalent hydrocarbon radical. Unless otherwise specified, an alkyl group contains 1-20 carbon atoms (e.g., 1-20 carbon atoms, 1-10 carbon atoms, 1-8 carbon atoms, 1-6 carbon atoms, 1-4 carbon atoms or 1-3 carbon atoms). Examples of alkyl groups include, but are not limited to, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, s-butyl, t-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl and the like.

The terms C_(n-m)“alkoxyalkyl” and C_(n-m)“thioalkoxyalkyl” mean alkyl, substituted with one or more alkoxy or thioalkoxy groups, as the case may be, wherein the combined total number of carbons of the alkyl and alkoxy groups, or alkyl and thioalkoxy groups, combined, as the case may be, is between the values of n and m. For example, a C4-6 alkoxyalkyl has a total of 4-6 carbons divided between the alkyl and alkoxy portion; e.g. it can be —CH₂OCH₂CH₂CH₃, —CH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₃ or —CH₂CH₂CH₂OCH₃.

As used herein, the term “aryl” (as in “aryl ring” or “aryl group”), used alone or as part of a larger moiety, refers to a carbocyclic ring system wherein at least one ring in the system is aromatic and has a single point of attachment to the rest of the molecule. Unless otherwise specified, an aryl group may be monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic and contain 6-18 ring members. Examples of aryl rings include, but are not limited to, phenyl, naphthyl, indanyl, indenyl, tetralin, fluorenyl, and anthracenyl.

The term “heteroaryl” (or “heteroaromatic” or “heteroaryl group” or “aromatic heterocycle”) used alone or as part of a larger moiety as in “heteroaralkyl” or “heteroarylalkoxy” refers to a ring system wherein at least one ring in the system is aromatic and contains one or more heteroatoms, wherein each ring in the system contains 3 to 7 ring members and which has a single point of attachment to the rest of the molecule. Unless otherwise specified, a heteroaryl ring system may be monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic and have a total of five to fourteen ring members. In one embodiment, all rings in a heteroaryl system are aromatic. Also included in this definition are heteroaryl radicals where the heteroaryl ring is fused with one or more aromatic or non-aromatic carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings, or combinations thereof, as long as the radical or point of attachment is in the heteroaryl ring. Bicyclic 6,5 heteroaromatic system, as used herein, for example, is a six membered heteroaromatic ring fused to a second five membered ring wherein the radical or point of attachment is on the six membered ring.

Heteroaryl rings include, but are not limited to the following monocycles: 2-furanyl, 3-furanyl, N-imidazolyl, 2-imidazolyl, 4-imidazolyl, 5-imidazolyl, 3-isoxazolyl, 4-isoxazolyl, 5-isoxazolyl, 2-oxazolyl, 4-oxazolyl, 5-oxazolyl, N-pyrrolyl, 2-pyrrolyl, 3-pyrrolyl, 2-pyridyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl, 2-pyrimidinyl, 4-pyrimidinyl, 5-pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl (e.g., 3-pyridazinyl), 2-thiazolyl, 4-thiazolyl, 5-thiazolyl, tetrazolyl (e.g., 5-tetrazolyl), triazolyl (e.g., 2-triazolyl and 5-triazolyl), 2-thienyl, 3-thienyl, pyrazolyl (e.g., 2-pyrazolyl), isothiazolyl, 1,2,3-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,5-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,4-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,3-triazolyl, 1,2,3-thiadiazolyl, 1,3,4-thiadiazolyl, 1,2,5-thiadiazolyl, pyrazinyl, 1,3,5-triazinyl, and the following bicycles: benzimidazolyl, benzofuryl, benzothiophenyl, benzopyrazinyl, benzopyranonyl, indolyl (e.g., 2-indolyl), purinyl, quinolinyl (e.g., 2-quinolinyl, 3-quinolinyl, 4-quinolinyl), and isoquinolinyl (e.g., 1-isoquinolinyl, 3-isoquinolinyl, or 4-isoquinolinyl).

In various cases: the antioxidant is selected from BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), vitamin E, propyl gallate, ascorbic acid and salts or esters thereof, tocopherol and esters thereof, alpha-lipoic acid, beta-carotene; the pharmaceutically acceptable binder is polyvinyl alcohol or polyvinyl pyrrolidone; the pharmaceutically acceptable binder is selected from: a starch (e.g., corn starch, pre-gelatinized potato starch, rice starch, wheat starch, and sodium starch glycollate), maltodextrin or a cellulose ether (e.g., methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose); the pharmaceutically acceptable filler is cellulose (e.g., microfine cellulose or microcrystalline cellulose such as Celphere CP-305 or Avicel); the pharmaceutically acceptable filler is a sugar or a sugar alcohol (e.g., mannitol, isomalt, sorbitol, dextrose, xylitol, sucrose and lactose); the filler comprises particles having an average diameter between 50 μm and 1000 μm; the lubricant and/or glidant is selected from: talc, leucine, magnesium stearate, stearic acid and polyvinyl alcohol; and the lubricant and/or glidant is selected from: calcium stearate, mineral oil, vegetable oil, polyethylene glycol (PEG; e.g., PEG that is liquid or solid at room temperature), sodium benzoate, and sodium lauryl sulfate.

In some cases, the linaclotide solution used in a method for preparing the formulation has a pH below 7 (e.g., a pH between 1 and 3 or a pH between about 1.5 and about 2.5). The pH can be adjusted with, e.g., phosphoric acid. In some cases, the solution is buffered. Various pharmaceutically acceptable buffers can be used (e.g., phosphate buffer).

In some cases, the linaclotide solution used in a method for preparing the formulation comprises both a cation (e.g., CaCl₂) and a sterically hindered primary amine (e.g., leucine).

In some cases the linaclotide solution comprises CaCl₂ and leucine; the binder is methylcellulose; the filler is microcrystalline cellulose; the glidant and/or lubricant comprises talc or leucine.

Also provided is a pharmaceutical composition prepared by any of the methods described herein.

In another aspect, a pharmaceutical composition is disclosed that comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, linaclotide and one or more agents selected from (i) a cation selected from Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺ or Al³⁺, or (ii) a sterically hindered primary amine. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition comprises at least one cation and at least one sterically hindered primary amine.

Methods of using the pharmaceutical compositions to treat a variety of gastrointestinal disorders are also described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE

FIG. 1 demonstrates an example of an analysis of linaclotide by HPLC, wherein “Oxidation” refers to the linaclotide oxidation product, “Formaldehyde Imine” refers to the linaclotide formaldehyde imine product and “Hydrolysis” refers to the linaclotide hydrolysis product.

This FIGURE is provided by way of example and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Oral compositions containing linaclotide can be used to treat a variety of gastrointestinal disorders. In various embodiments, the patient is suffering from a gastrointestinal disorder; the patient is suffering from a disorder selected from the group consisting of: gastrointestinal motility disorders, chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction, colonic pseudo-obstruction, Crohn's disease, duodenogastric reflux, dyspepsia, functional dyspepsia, nonulcer dyspepsia, a functional gastrointestinal disorder, functional heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastroparesis, irritable bowel syndrome, post-operative ileus, ulcerative colitis, chronic constipation, constipation, pain associated with constipation, and disorders and conditions associated with constipation (e.g. constipation associated with use of opiate pain killers, post-surgical constipation, and constipation associated with neuropathic disorders as well as other conditions and disorders described herein); the patient is suffering from a gastrointestinal motility disorder, chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction, colonic pseudo-obstruction, Crohn's disease, duodenogastric reflux, dyspepsia, functional dyspepsia, nonulcer dyspepsia, a functional gastrointestinal disorder, functional heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastroparesis, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome (e.g. diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (d-IBS), constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (c-IBS) and/or alternating irritable bowel syndrome (a-IBS)), post-operative ileus, ulcerative colitis, chronic constipation, constipation, pain associated with constipation, and disorders and conditions associated with constipation (e.g. constipation associated with use of opiate pain killers, post-surgical constipation, and constipation associated with neuropathic disorders as well as other conditions and disorders described herein); the patient has been diagnosed with a functional gastrointestinal disorder according to the Rome Criteria (e.g. Rome II), the patient has been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (e.g. (e.g. diarrhea predominant-IBS, constipation predominant-IBS, and/or alternating-IBS), according to the Rome Criteria (e.g. Rome II).

The dose range of linaclotide for adult humans is generally from 25 μg to 6 mg per day orally. In a further embodiment, the dose range is 25 μg to 2 mg per day orally. In some embodiments, the dose range for adult humans is 50 μg to 1 mg per day orally (e.g., 50 μg, 67.5 μg, 100 μg, 133 μg, 150 μg, 200 μg, 250 μg, 266 μg, 300 μg, 350 μg, 400 μg, 450 μg, 500 μg, 550 μg, 600 μg, 650 μg, 700 μg, 750 μg, 800 μg, 850 μg, 900 μg, 950 μg or 1 mg). In further embodiments, the dose range is 100 μg to 600 μg per day orally. In other embodiments, the dose is 50 μg, 67.5 μg, 100 μg, 133 μg, 150 μg, 200 μg, 266 μg, 300 μg, 400 μg, 500 μg or 600 μg linaclotide per day orally. In one embodiment, the linaclotide composition is provided in a discrete unit, a unit dosage form, (e.g., a tablet, a capsule, a sachet) that is effective at such dosage or as a multiple of the same. In certain embodiments, the unit dosage form and daily dose are equivalent. In various embodiments, the unit dosage form is administered with food at anytime of the day, without food at anytime of the day, with food after an overnight fast (e.g. with breakfast). In various embodiments, the unit dosage form is administered once a day, twice a day or three times a day. The unit dosage form can optionally comprise other additives. In some embodiments, one, two or three unit dosage forms will contain the daily oral dose of linaclotide. The precise amount of compound administered to a patient will be the responsibility of the attendant physician. However, the dose employed will depend on a number of factors, including the age and sex of the patient, the precise disorder being treated, and its severity.

In one embodiment, there is provided a method for treating irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-c) in an adult patient in need thereof, comprising administering to the patient once daily an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition described herein. In various embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition comprises 133 μg or 266 μg linaclotide per unit dose per day. In other embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is administered for a period of at least one day, two days, three days, four days, five days, six days, one week, two weeks, three weeks, four weeks or longer. In some embodiments, treatment with the linaclotide composition improves at least one symptom selected from reduced abdominal pain, an increase in the number of complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBM) in a week, an increase in the number of spontaneous bowel movements (SBM) in a week, improved stool consistency, reduced straining, reduced abdominal discomfort, reduced bloating or reduced IBS-c symptom severity.

In one embodiment, there is provided a method for treating chronic constipation in an adult patient in need thereof, comprising administering to the patient once daily an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition described herein. In various embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition comprises 133 μg or 266 μg linaclotide per unit dose per day. In other embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is administered for a period of at least one day, two days, three days, four days, five days, six days, one week, two weeks, three weeks, four weeks or longer. In some embodiments, treatment with the linaclotide composition improves at least one symptom selected from an increase in the number of complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBM) in a week, an increase in the number of spontaneous bowel movements (SBM) in a week, improved stool consistency, reduced straining, reduced abdominal discomfort, reduced bloating or reduced severity of constipation.

Stool consistency of each BM may be monitored by the 7-point Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS) (1=hard lumps, 2=lumpy sausage, 3=cracked sausage, 4=smooth sausage, 5=soft lumps, 6=mushy, 7=watery). Straining may be monitored by the 7-point Ease of Passage Scale (1=manual disimpaction/enema needed, 2=severe straining, 3=moderate straining, 4=mild straining, 5=no straining, 6=urgency, 7=incontinent). CSBM may be measured by the sensation of complete emptying after an SBM (yes/no). Abdominal discomfort, bloating and severity of constipation may be measured using, e.g., a 5-point ordinal scale (1=none, 2=mild, 3=moderate, 4=severe, 5=very severe).

A cation of the invention may be provided as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt i.e., a cation with an appropriate counterion. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts that may be used in the invention include, without limitation, magnesium acetate, magnesium chloride, magnesium phosphate, magnesium sulfate, calcium acetate, calcium chloride, calcium phosphate, calcium sulfate, zinc acetate, zinc chloride, zinc phosphate, zinc sulfate, manganese acetate, manganese chloride, manganese phosphate, manganese sulfate, potassium acetate, potassium chloride, potassium phosphate, potassium sulfate, sodium acetate, sodium chloride, sodium phosphate, sodium sulfate, aluminum acetate, aluminum chloride, aluminum phosphate or aluminum sulfate. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutically acceptable salts include calcium chloride, calcium carbonate, calcium acetate, magnesium chloride, magnesium acetate, zinc acetate and zinc chloride. In further embodiments, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt that may be used is calcium chloride, magnesium chloride and zinc acetate.

As used herein, the term “binder” refers to any pharmaceutically acceptable binder that may be used in the practice of the invention. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable binders include, without limitation, a starch (e.g., corn starch, potato starch and pre-gelatinized starch (e.g., STARCH 1500® and STARCH 1500 LM®, sold by Colorcon, Ltd.) and other starches), maltodextrin, gelatin, natural and synthetic gums such as acacia, powdered tragacanth, guar gum, cellulose and its derivatives (e.g., methylcellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (hypromellose), ethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, carboxymethyl cellulose calcium, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose (e.g. AVICEL™, such as, AVICEL-PH-101™, -103™ and -105™, sold by FMC Corporation, Marcus Hook, Pa., USA)), polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone (e.g., polyvinyl pyrrolidone K30), and mixtures thereof.

As used herein, the term “filler” refers to any pharmaceutically acceptable filler that may be used in the practice of the invention. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable fillers include, without limitation, talc, calcium carbonate (e.g., granules or powder), dibasic calcium phosphate, tribasic calcium phosphate, calcium sulfate (e.g., granules or powder), microcrystalline cellulose (e.g., AVICEL PH101 or CELPHERE CP-305), powdered cellulose, dextrates, kaolin, mannitol, silicic acid, sorbitol, starch (e.g., Starch 1500), pre-gelatinized starch, lactose, glucose, fructose, galactose, trehalose, sucrose, maltose, isomalt, raffinose, maltitol, melezitose, stachyose, lactitol, palatinite, xylitol, myoinositol, and mixtures thereof.

Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable fillers that may be particularly used for coating with linaclotide include, without limitation, talc, microcrystalline cellulose (e.g., AVICEL PH101 or CELPHERE CP-305), powdered cellulose, dextrates, kaolin, mannitol, silicic acid, sorbitol, starch, pre-gelatinized starch, lactose, glucose, fructose, galactose, trehalose, sucrose, maltose, isomalt, dibasic calcium phosphate, raffinose, maltitol, melezitose, stachyose, lactitol, palatinite, xylitol, mannitol, myoinositol, and mixtures thereof.

As used herein, the term “additives” refers to any pharmaceutically acceptable additive. Pharmaceutically acceptable additives include, without limitation, disintegrants, dispersing additives, lubricants, glidants, antioxidants, coating additives, diluents, surfactants, flavoring additives, humectants, absorption promoting additives, controlled release additives, anti-caking additives, anti-microbial agents (e.g., preservatives), colorants, desiccants, plasticizers and dyes.

As used herein, an “excipient” is any pharmaceutically acceptable additive, filler, binder or agent.

As used herein, “purified linaclotide” is linaclotide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof that is greater than or equal to 90 percent pure or greater than or equal to 95 percent pure. In some embodiments, linaclotide as used in the methods and compositions described herein is purified. Linaclotide purity can be measured, for example, by chromatographic purity of linaclotide using reversed phase HPLC as described in Example 21. Linaclotide Assay [w/w] can be determined, for example, by using reversed phase HPLC with quantitation via external calibration with a reference standard as described in Example 21.

In one aspect, the pharmaceutical composition may be prepared by spraying a solution comprising linaclotide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, on a pharmaceutically acceptable filler to generate linaclotide-coated filler. In one embodiment, the method comprises: (a) providing a solution, e.g., an aqueous solution (“the coating solution”), comprising: (i) linaclotide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; (ii) a cation selected from Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺ or Al³⁺ and/or a sterically hindered primary amine (e.g., leucine) and, optionally, (iii) a pharmaceutically acceptable binder; and (b) applying the coating solution to a pharmaceutically acceptable filler to generate polypeptide-coated filler (e.g., by spraying, mixing or coating the pharmaceutically acceptable filler with the coating solution). The method can optionally include one or more of: (i) blending the polypeptide-coated filler with a pharmaceutically acceptable glidant, a pharmaceutically acceptable lubricant or a pharmaceutically acceptable additive that acts as both a glidant and lubricant; (ii) blending the polypeptide-coated filler with filler that is not polypeptide-coated, (iii) blending the polypeptide-coated filler with other additives; and (iv) applying a pharmaceutically acceptable coating additive to the polypeptide-coated filler. The final pharmaceutical composition can be placed into capsules (e.g., gelatin capsule) or used to form tablets.

In another embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition is prepared by spray drying, which is a technique used to prepare microparticles (e.g., microcapsules or microspheres) of drugs. Spray-dried peptides generally retain their biological activity upon dissolution and may have useful physical characteristics, including a uniform particle size and a spherical shape. In addition, the microparticles prepared by spray drying are often free flowing, which is helpful for pharmaceutical manufacturing processes such as forming tablets and filling capsules. Spray drying processes are also useful because they may be readily scaled up for clinical and commercial manufacturing.

Thus, this disclosure features a method for preparing a pharmaceutical composition comprising linaclotide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, the method comprising: (a) providing a solution, e.g., an aqueous or organic solution, comprising: (i) linaclotide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and (ii) a cation selected from Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺ or Al³⁺ and/or a sterically hindered primary amine (e.g., leucine) and (b) spray drying the linaclotide-containing solution to produce microparticles. The linaclotide-containing solution can optionally include a polymer, such as one or more of the binders described herein, a lipid or phospholipid, and/or a filler, such as mannitol. The method can optionally include one or more additional steps of: (i) blending the linaclotide microparticles with a pharmaceutically acceptable glidant, a pharmaceutically acceptable lubricant or a pharmaceutically acceptable additive that acts as both a glidant and lubricant; (ii) blending the microparticles with a filler, and/or (iii) blending the microparticles with other additives. The final pharmaceutical composition can be placed into capsules (e.g., gelatin capsule) or used to form tablets.

In other embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is prepared by spray freeze drying, supercritical fluid processing or lyophilization of a solution, e.g., an aqueous or organic solution, comprising: (i) linaclotide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and (ii) a cation selected from Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺ or Al³⁺ and/or a sterically hindered primary amine (e.g., leucine).

In some embodiments, the linaclotide composition is provided in a solid form for oral administration. Examples of such forms include, without limitation, a tablet, a sachet, a pellet, a capsule or a powder. In some embodiments, the compositions can be used to create unit dosages forms, e.g., tablets, capsules, sachets or pellets. Orally administered compositions can include, for example, binders, lubricants, inert diluents, lubricating, surface active or dispersing additives, flavoring additives, and humectants. Orally administered formulations such as tablets may optionally be coated or scored and may be formulated so as to provide sustained, delayed or controlled release of the linaclotide therein. The linaclotide can be co-administered or co-formulated with other medications. In one embodiment, the linaclotide composition can be co-administered with other medications used to treat gastrointestinal disorders. The linaclotide composition can also be used for treatment of disorders outside the gastrointestinal tract such as congestive heart failure and benign prostatic hypertrophy.

The compositions can include, for example, various additional solvents, dispersants, coatings, absorption promoting additives, controlled release additives, and one or more inert additives (which include, for example, starches, polyols, granulating additives, microcrystalline cellulose, diluents, lubricants, binders, disintegrating additives, and the like), etc. If desired, tablet dosages of the disclosed compositions may be coated by standard aqueous or non-aqueous techniques. Compositions can also include, for example, anti-caking additives, preservatives, sweetening additives, colorants, flavors, desiccants, plasticizers, dyes, and the like.

Suitable disintegrants include, for example, agar-agar, calcium carbonate, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, crospovidone, povidone, polacrilin potassium, sodium starch glycolate, potato or tapioca starch, other starches, pre-gelatinized starch, clays, other algins, other celluloses, gums, and mixtures thereof.

Suitable lubricants include, for example, calcium stearate, magnesium stearate, mineral oil, light mineral oil, glycerin, sorbitol, mannitol, polyethylene glycol, other glycols, stearic acid, sodium lauryl sulfate, talc, hydrogenated vegetable oil (e.g., peanut oil, cottonseed oil, sunflower oil, sesame oil, olive oil, corn oil and soybean oil), zinc stearate, ethyl oleate, ethyl laurate, agar, syloid silica gel (AEROSIL 200, W.R. Grace Co., Baltimore, Md. USA), a coagulated aerosol of synthetic silica (Evonik Degussa Co., Plano, Tex. USA), a pyrogenic silicon dioxide (CAB-O-SIL, Cabot Co., Boston, Mass. USA), and mixtures thereof.

Suitable glidants include, for example, leucine, colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium trisilicate, powdered cellulose, starch, talc, and tribasic calcium phosphate.

Suitable anti-caking additives include, for example, calcium silicate, magnesium silicate, silicon dioxide, colloidal silicon dioxide, talc, and mixtures thereof.

Suitable anti-microbial additives that may be used, e.g., as a preservative for the linaclotide compositions, include, for example, benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, benzoic acid, benzyl alcohol, butyl paraben, cetylpyridinium chloride, cresol, chlorobutanol, dehydroacetic acid, ethylparaben, methylparaben, phenol, phenylethyl alcohol, phenoxyethanol, phenylmercuric acetate, phenylmercuric nitrate, potassium sorbate, propylparaben, sodium benzoate, sodium dehydroacetate, sodium propionate, sorbic acid, thimersol, thymo, and mixtures thereof.

Suitable coating additives include, for example, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate phthalate, ethylcellulose, gelatin, pharmaceutical glaze, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose phthalate, methylcellulose, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl acetate phthalate, shellac, sucrose, titanium dioxide, carnauba wax, microcrystalline wax, and mixtures thereof. Suitable protective coatings include AQUACOAT® (e.g. AQUACOAT Ethylcellulose Aquaeous Dispersion, 15% w/w, FMC Biopolymer, ECD-30), EUDRAGIT (e.g. EUDRAGIT E PO PE-EL, Roehm Pharma Polymers) and OPADRY (e.g OPADRY AMB dispersion, 20% w/w, Colorcon).

In certain embodiments, suitable additives for the linaclotide composition include one or more of sucrose, talc, magnesium stearate, crospovidone or BHA.

In certain embodiments, the term “95%” may be 95.0%, the term “90%” may be 90.0%, the term “10%” may be 10.0%, the term “9%” may be 9.0%, the term “8%” may be 8.0%, the term “7%” may be 7.0%, the term “6%” may be 6.0%, the term “5%” may be 5.0%, the term “4%” may be 4.0%, the term “3%” may be 3.0%, the term “2%” may be 2.0%, and the term “1%” may be 1.0%.

In certain embodiments, the linaclotide composition is provided in a unit dosage form. In some embodiments, the unit dosage form is a capsule, a tablet, a sachet, a pellet or a powder. In one such embodiment, the unit dosage form is a capsule or tablet. Such unit dosage forms may be contained in a container such as, without limitation, a paper or cardboard box, a glass or plastic bottle or jar, a re-sealable bag (for example, to hold a “refill” of tablets for placement into a different container), or a blister pack with individual doses for pressing out of the pack according to a therapeutic schedule. It is feasible that more than one container can be used together in a single package to provide a single dosage form. For example, tablets or capsules may be contained in a bottle which is in turn contained within a box. In some embodiments, the unit dosage forms are provided in a container further comprising a desiccant. In a further embodiment, the unit dosage forms, e.g., a quantity of tablets or capsules, are provided in a container, e.g., a bottle, jar or re-sealable bag, containing a desiccant. In a further embodiment, the container containing the unit dosage forms is packaged with administration or dosage instructions. In certain embodiments, the linaclotide composition is provided in a kit. The linaclotide composition described herein and combination therapy agents can be packaged as a kit that includes single or multiple doses of two or more agents, each packaged or formulated individually, or single or multiple doses of two or more agents packaged or formulated in combination. Thus, the linaclotide composition can be present in first container, and the kit can optionally include one or more agents in a second container. The container or containers are placed within a package, and the package can optionally include administration or dosage instructions.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are merely illustrative of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any way as many variations and equivalents that are encompassed by the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the present disclosure.

Linaclotide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof may be produced and purified using standard techniques known in the art, e.g., chemical synthesis or recombinant expression followed by and purification using standard techniques.

Formulation Scheme A

Preparation of the Coating Solution: Approximately 32 g to 42 g of purified water is mixed with hydrochloric acid to create a solution with a pH between 1.5 and 2.0. The cation, if used, is added to the solution in a quantity to provide the desired concentration, and the solution is mixed for sufficient time to produce a clear solution. The sterically hindered primary amine, if used, is added to the solution in a quantity to provide the desired concentration, and the solution is mixed for sufficient time to produce a clear solution. Other additives, such as antioxidants, are then added, if desired. The pH of the solution is tested, and hydrochloric acid is added, if necessary, to produce a solution having a pH between 1.5 and 2.0. The binder is then added to the solution and the mixture is then stirred for sufficient time to achieve a clear solution. The desired amount of linaclotide is added to the solution and mixed for 30-100 minutes to provide the coating solution.

Preparation of the Active Beads: Approximately 30-36 g of dried microcrystalline cellulose beads are added to a Mini Column Fluid Bed Coater. The microcrystalline cellulose beads are fluidized and heated prior to layering. Next, the coating solution is layered to the beads. The spraying temperature is controlled between 24° C. and 55° C. by controlling inlet temperature, spray rate, atomization pressure, and air volume. After the entire coating solution is layered to the beads, the beads are dried. The product of this process is referred to as active beads.

Preparation of Active Beads with Protective Coating: Approximately 35 g of Active Beads are added to a Mini Column Fluid Bed Coater. The Active Beads are fluidized and heated prior to coating with AQUACOAT (e.g. Aquacoat Ethylcellulose Aquaeous Dispersion, 15% w/w, FMC Biopolymer, ECD-30), EUDRAGIT (e.g. EUDRAGIT E PO PE-EL, Roehm Pharma Polymers) or OPADRY (e.g Opadry AMB dispersion, 20% w/w, Colorcon). Next, the coating solution is layered to the beads. The spraying temperature is controlled between 24° C. and 55° C. by controlling inlet temperature, spray rate, atomization pressure, and air volume. After the entire coating solution is layered to the beads, the beads are dried.

Formulation Scheme B

Preparation of the Coating Solution: Approximately 8.3 kg of purified water is mixed with hydrochloric acid to create a solution with a pH between 1.5 and 2.0. The cation, if used, is added to the solution in a quantity to provide the desired concentration, and the solution is mixed for sufficient time to produce a clear solution. The sterically hindered primary amine, if used, is added to the solution in a quantity to provide the desired concentration, and the solution is mixed for sufficient time to produce a clear solution. Other additives, such as antioxidants, are then added, if desired. The binder is then added to the solution and the solution is mixed for sufficient time to achieve a clear solution. The pH of the solution is tested, and hydrochloric acid is added if necessary to produce a solution having a pH between 1.5 and 2.0. This is Solution 1. Approximately 8.3 kg of purified water is mixed with hydrochloric acid to create a solution with a pH between 1.5 and 2.0. The desired amount of linaclotide is added to the solution and mixed for 10 to 30 minutes. The pH of the solution is tested, and hydrochloric acid is added if necessary to produce a solution having a pH between 1.5 and 2.0. This is Solution 2. Solution 1 and Solution 2 are then mixed together. The pH of the solution is tested, and hydrochloric acid is added if necessary to produce a solution having a pH between 1.5 and 2.0. This is the coating solution.

Preparation of the Active Beads: Approximately 24.19 kg of microcrystalline cellulose beads are added to a Wurster Column of a Glatt GPCG-30 Fluid Bed. The microcrystalline cellulose beads are fluidized and heated to product temperature of 45-47° C. Next, the coating solution is layered to the beads. The product spraying temperature is controlled between 37° C. and 47° C. by controlling inlet temperature, spray rate, atomization pressure, and air volume. After the entire coating solution is layered to the beads, the beads are dried with a product drying temperature of 37° C. to 47° C. The product of this process is referred to as active beads.

Examples 1-15: Preparation of Linaclotide Formulations

The linaclotide formulations of Examples 1-15 were produced essentially as described in Formulation Scheme A wherein Table 1 provides the amounts of cation, sterically hindered primary amine, binder, linaclotide and beads, while Table 2 provides the conditions under which the beads were coated:

TABLE 1 Cation Amine Amount Amount Binder Amount of Beads Example [ ]* [ ] Amount Linaclotide ** Amount 1 CaCl₂•2H₂O Leucine Hypromellose 0.1282 g Celphere CP-305 0.6740 g 0.2005 g 1.019 g 33.38 g [60] [20] 2 CaCl₂•2H₂O Leucine Hypromellose 0.1329 g Celphere CP-305 0.6740 g 0.3007 g 0.3063 g 33.87 g [60] [30] 3 CaCl₂•2H₂O Leucine Hypromellose 0.1282 g Celphere CP-305 0.2247 g 1.002 g 0.0656 g 33.86 g [20] [100] 4 CaCl₂•2H₂O Leucine Hypromellose 0.1282 g Celphere CP-305  1.123 g 0.2005 g 1.969 g 32.36 g [100] [20] 5 CaCl₂•2H₂O Leucine Hypromellose 0.1282 g Celphere CP-305 0.4493 g 0.4009 g 0.5425 g 33.78 g [40] [40] 6 MgCl₂•6H₂O Leucine Hypromellose 0.2100 g Celphere CP-305 0.2590 g 0.3341 g 0.6636 g 33.83 g [10] [20] 7 ZnAc•2H₂O Leucine Hypromellose 0.2100 g Celphere CP-305 0.2796 g 0.3341 g 0.6636 g 33.82 g [10] [20] 8 N/A Leucine Hypromellose 0.4387 g Celphere CP-305 0.8944 g 0.6636 g 33.40 g [27] 9 CaCl₂•2H₂O N/A Hypromellose 0.4227 g Celphere CP-305 0.3745 g 0.6636 g 33.83 g [10] 10 N/A N/A Hypromellose 0.2114 g Celphere CP-305 0.6811 g 34.28 g 11 N/A N/A Hypromellose 0.4227 g Celphere CP-305 0.6636 g 34.13 g 12 CaCl₂•2H₂O N/A Hypromellose 0.4227 g Celphere CP-305 0.4342 g 0.6636 g 33.79 g [10] 13 ZnAc•H₂O N/A Hypromellose 0 4227 g Celphere CP-305 0.5590 g 0.6636 g 33.68 g [10] 14 MgCl₂•6H₂O N/A Hypromellose 0.4227 g Celphere CP-305 0.5178 g 0.6636 g 33.72 g [10] 15 N/A Methionine Hypromellose 0.4387 g Celphere CP-305 0.0380 g 0.6636 g 34.08 g [1] *“Cation” refers to the divalent cation contained in the salt used in the example, “Amine” refers to the sterically hindered primary amine, [ ] refers to the molar ratio of the cation and/or amine to linaclotide. ** The Amount of linaclotide in this and all following examples is determined based on peptide content and chromatographic purity as listed on the Certificate of Analysis provided for each manufactured lot of linaclotide Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API).

TABLE 2 Product Inlet Spray Atomization Spraying Temp rate Pressure Air Example Temp (° C.) (° C.) (mL/min) (psig) Flow 1 34.0-37.0 55.7-57.7 0.33-0.40 20 Low 2 27.4-32.3 37.01-42.1  0.40 22 Low 3 32.6-34.7 60.0-60.1 0.33-0.40 20 Low 4 35.3-39.3 58.9-59.2 0.40 18 Low 5 27.8-27.9 58.7-59.8 0.35-0.33 20 Low 6 32.1-38.3 42.0-53.4 0.39-0.75 22 Low 7 31.7-39.3 50.0-52.5 0.27-0.57 22 Low 8 33.3-41.3 50.5-57.0 0.57-0.65 22 Low 9 33.2-40.0 49.5-58.7 0.82-1.00 20 Low 10 42.5 59.5 0.49 22 Low 11 39.7 52.0 0.66 22 Low 12 36.6-40.0 47.2-54.8 0.65-0.75 20-22 Low 13 32.4 57.4 0.65 22 Low 14 34.0 49.0 0.75 20 Low 15 24.1-39.9 48.5-55.9 0.39-0.65 22-23 Low

Example 16: Preparation of Linaclotide Formulation

The linaclotide formulation of Example 16 was produced essentially as described in Formulation Scheme B wherein Table 3 provides the amounts of cation, sterically hindered primary amine, binder, linaclotide and beads, while Table 4 provides the conditions under which the beads were coated:

TABLE 3 Cation Amine Amount Amount Binder Amount of Beads Example [ ] [ ] Amount Linaclotide Amount 16 CaCl₂•2H₂O Leucine Hypromellose 73.5 g Celphere 385.1 g 171.8 g 175.0 g CP-305 [60] [30] 24.19 kg

TABLE 4 Product Spray Process Product Spraying Inlet rate Atomization Air Drying Temp Temp (g/ Pressure Volume Temp Example (° C.) (° C.) min) (bar) (cfm) (° C.) 16 64.9-65.1 80 150 2.0 515-564 54.9-55.0

Example 17: Preparation of Linaclotide Formulation

The linaclotide formulation of Example 17 was produced essentially as described in Formulation Scheme A except that the formulation contained 22.96 mg butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), wherein Table 5 provides the amounts of cation, sterically hindered primary amine, binder, linaclotide and beads, while Table 6 provides the conditions under which the beads were coated.

TABLE 5 Cation Amine Amount Amount Binder Amount of Beads Example [ ] [ ] Amount Linaclotide Amount 17 CaCl₂•2H₂O N/A Hypromellose 0.2100 g Celphere 0.3745 g 0.6636 g CP-305 [20] 33.99 g

TABLE 6 Product Inlet Spray Atomization Spraying Temp rate Pressure Air Example Temp (° C.) ((° C.) (mL/min) (psig) Flow 17 33.5-34.8 47.7-48.6 0.56-0.74 26 Low

Example 18: Preparation of Capsules Containing Linaclotide Formulation

The linaclotide content on active beads may be measured as described in Example 21 or by other equivalent methods.

To form capsules suitable for oral administration, an appropriate amount of active beads is used to fill gelatin capsules (e.g., Size 2 gelatin capsules). An appropriate amount of active beads may contain 50 μg to 2 mg linaclotide per capsule with a range of ±5%. In some embodiments, the appropriate amount of linaclotide on active beads may be 50 μg, 67.5 μg, 100 μg, 133 μg, 150 μg, 200 μg, 266 μg, 300 μg, 400 μg, 500 μg, 600 μg, 700 μg, 800 μg, 900 μg, 1 mg, 2 mg, 4 mg or 6 mg. In a particular embodiment, the appropriate amount of linaclotide on active beads is 67.5 μg, 100 μg, 133 μg, 150 μg, 200 μg, 266 μg, 300 μg, 400 μg, 500 μg, 600 μg. In a more particular embodiment, the appropriate amount of linaclotide on active beads is 67.5 μg, 133 μg, 150 μg, 266 μg or 300 μg per capsule.

In another embodiment, an appropriate amount of active beads to fill a desired number of gelatin capsules is placed in a container. One or more pharmaceutically acceptable fillers or other pharmaceutically acceptable additives may be added, if desired, to the container. In some embodiments, a filler or additive is talc, leucine, microcrystalline cellulose or mannitol. The contents of the container are blended and the mixture is used to fill gelatin capsules with an appropriate amount of active beads containing linaclotide (e.g., 50 μg to 2 mg linaclotide per capsule with a range of ±5%).

In an alternative embodiment, an appropriate amount of active beads is used to fill gelatin capsules and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable fillers or other pharmaceutically acceptable additives are added to the gelatin capsules.

Example 19: Preparation of Capsules Containing Linaclotide Formulation

Preparation of the Coating Solution: First, 41.98 g of purified water was mixed with 1.13 g of hydrochloric acid in order to create a solution with a pH between 1.5 and 2.0. Next, 7.49 g of calcium chloride dihydrate and 6.68 g of leucine were added to the solution, which was then mixed for 30 minutes in order to produce a clear solution. The pH was tested, and 1.70 g of hydrochloric acid was added to produce a solution having a pH between 1.5 and 2.0. Next, 13.27 g of hypromellose (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose; Dow Chemical Company; Midland, Mich.) was added to the solution and the mixture was stirred for 60 minutes to achieve a clear solution. Next, 4.39 g of a linaclotide was added to the solution and mixed for 90 minutes. The pH of the solution was 1.73. This was the coating solution.

Preparation of the Active Beads: 674.5 g of microcrystalline cellulose beads (Celphere CP-305; Ashai Kasei Corporation (Tokyo; Japan) were added to a Wurster Column of a Glatt GPCG-2 Fluid Bed. The microcrystalline cellulose beads were fluidized and heated for 30 minutes at a product temperature of 60° C. Next, the coating solution was layered to the beads. The product temperature was controlled between 45° C. and 49° C. by an inlet temperature of 80° C., spray rate of 5.0-11 g/min, an atomization pressure of 2.0 bar, and air volume of 40 to 50 m³h. After the entire coating solution was layered to the beads, the beads were dried for 10 minutes with a product temperature of 46.9° C. to 50.9° C. The product of this process was referred to as active beads.

Reverse phase liquid chromatography of linaclotide extracted from a formulation prepared as described above demonstrated that the extracted linaclotide and a linaclotide reference standard exhibited the same retention time and that there was no significant change in purity as a result of the formulation process.

To form capsules, 49.50 g of active beads were added to a clear bag. Next, 0.25 g of leucine, screened through a 60 mesh screen, was added to the bag. The bag was tied and mixed for 125 turns in order to blend all of the materials. Next, 0.25 g of talc, screened through a 60 mesh screen, was added to the bag. The bag was tied and mixed for 125 turns to blend all of the materials. Once all of the materials were blended, the mixture was used to fill Size 2 gelatin capsules at target weight of 227 mg/capsule with a range of ±5%.

Example 20: Preparation of Capsules Containing Linaclotide Formulation

Active beads were prepared according to Example 16. The active beads were tested for linaclotide content. Based on the assay of the active beads, an appropriate amount of active beads (96 mg-123 mg) were filled into size 2 hard gelatin capsules using an MG2 Futura encapsulation machine, to achieve a linaclotide concentration of 300 μg.

Active beads were prepared according to Example 15. The active beads were tested for linaclotide content. Based on the assay of the active beads, an appropriate amount of active beads (48 mg-62 mg) were filled into size 2 hard gelatin capsules using an MG2 Futura encapsulation machine, to achieve a linaclotide concentration of 150 μg.

Example 21: Measurement of Linaclotide Content and Purity

Linaclotide content and purity, as well as measurement of linaclotide-related substances may be determined by reverse phase gradient liquid chromatography using an Agilent Series 1100 LC System with Chemstation Rev A.09.03 software or equivalent. A YMC Pro™ C18 column (dimensions: 3.0×150 mm, 3.5 um, 120 Å; Waters Corp., Milford, Mass.) or equivalent is used and is maintained at 40° C. Mobile phase A (MPA) consists of water with 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid while mobile phase B (MPB) consists of 95% acetonitrile:5% water with 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid. Elution of linaclotide and its related substances is accomplished with a gradient from 0% to 47% MPB in 28 minutes followed by a ramp to 100% MPB in 4 minutes with a 5 minute hold at 100% MPB to wash the column. Re-equilibration of the column is performed by returning to 0% MPB in 1 minute followed by a 10 minute hold at 100% MPA. The flow rate is 0.6 mL/min and detection is accomplished by UV at 220 nm.

Samples for analysis are prepared by addition of the contents of linaclotide capsules to 0.1 N HCl to obtain a target concentration of 20 μg linaclotide/mL. 100 μL of this solution is injected onto the column.

Linaclotide content is measured by determining the linaclotide concentration in the prepared sample against a similarly prepared external linaclotide standard.

An example of an analysis of linaclotide by HPLC is shown in FIG. 1, wherein “Oxidation” refers to the linaclotide oxidation product, “Formaldehyde Imine” refers to the linaclotide formaldehyde imine product and “Hydrolysis” refers to the linaclotide hydrolysis product.

Example 22: Linaclotide Formulation Stability Testing

For the formulations of Examples 1-15 and 17, gelatin capsules were filled with approximately 225 mg of active beads. Five filled capsules were placed in plastic bottles. The bottles contained 1 to 2 g of desiccant and were induction sealed. The bottles were stored at 40° C./75% RH for six months.

Linaclotide content and purity as well as the amount of linaclotide-related substances were measured essentially as described in Example 21 or by an equivalent method. Results are provided in Table 7.

TABLE 7 Assay Area % by HPLC [w/w] Linaclotide Formaldehyde Example % of Initial (% of Initial) Oxidation Hydrolysis Imine 1 107.56 96.88 0.11 0.24 0.19 (99.13) 3 98.87 97.36 0.07 0.52 0.15 (99.42) 4 95.67 95.61 0.10 0.16 0.24 (97.83) 5 103.41 95.87 0.07 0.25 0.24 (98.68) 6 99.46 93.64 0.14 0.70 0.55 (95.51) 7 98.64 93.44 0.45 1.45 0.63 (95.36) 8 92.81 88.20 0.37 1.85 0.49 (94.90) 9 93.53 93.81 0.2 0.41 1.06 (96.55) 10 77.12 84.85 0.37 0.29 4.45 (87.77) 11 85.73 89.09 1.18 0.49 1.38 (91.63) 12 33.60 41.98 ND ND ND (43.15) 13 87.69 91.91 1.98 0.74 0.86 (94.01) 14 86.94 90.59 0.25 0.54 1.23 (92.70) 15 87.71 87.54 0.24 0.66 1.67 (93.24) 17 98.94 93.65 ND 0.32 0.73 (95.16)

For the formulation of Example 16, gelatin capsules were filled with approximately 113 mg of total beads. 35 filled capsules were placed in plastic bottles. The bottles contained 2 g of desiccant and were induction sealed. The bottles were stored at 40° C./75% RH for one month.

Linaclotide content and purity as well as the amount of linaclotide-related substances may be measured essentially as described in Example 21 or by an equivalent method. Results are shown in Table 8.

TABLE 8 Assay Area % by HPLC [w/w] Linaclotide Formaldehyde Example % of Initial % of Initial Oxidation Hydrolysis Imine 16 97.01 97.12 <0.1 <0.1 0.34 (99.79)

Example 23: Isolation and Preparation of Linaclotide Hydrolysis Product

The linaclotide hydrolysis product occurs as a transformation of Asn in the 7 position to Asp (the numbering of linaclotide starts with 1 at the N-terminal Cys). Its structure is depicted below:

The linaclotide hydrolysis product has been independently synthesized for confirmation of identity using standard solid phase peptide synthesis techniques. The linaclotide hydrolysis product may also be prepared by other methods known in the art, e.g., by isolation from linaclotide preparations using chromatographic techniques or by recombinant expression of a nucleic acid encoding the linaclotide hydrolysis product (Cys Cys Glu Tyr Cys Cys Asp Pro Ala Cys Thr Gly Cys Tyr; SEQ ID NO: 2), optionally followed by oxidation of the cysteine residues to form the disulfide linkages.

Example 24: Isolation and Preparation of Linaclotide Formaldehyde Imine Product

The formaldehyde imine product occurs as the addition of an imine to the N-terminal Cys (Cysl) via a formaldehyde-mediated reaction. A proposed structure of the product is depicted below:

The linaclotide formaldehyde imine product has been independently synthesized for confirmation of identity by reacting linaclotide with formaldehyde (1:5 molar ratio) in absolute ethanol at room temperature for 4 days. The formaldehyde imine product may also be prepared by other methods known in the art, e.g., by isolation from linaclotide preparations using chromatographic techniques or by chemical peptide synthesis or recombinant expression of a nucleic acid encoding linaclotide followed by formylation as described herein or by other methods known in the art, optionally followed by oxidation of the cysteine residues to form the disulfide linkages.

Example 25: Isolation and Preparation of Linaclotide Oxidation Product

The linaclotide oxidation product has a molecular weight of 1542.8. The oxidation product most likely forms as the addition of a single oxygen atom to one of the six cysteinyl sulfurs in linaclotide. One potential structure of the product is depicted below, although one of skill in the art will recognize that the oxygen atom may be attached to any of the other five sulfurs:

To support this identification, the linaclotide oxidation product has been produced by reacting linaclotide with hydrogen peroxide (3% aqueous) at room temperature or 40° C. for up to 24 hours. The resulting product is enriched in the oxidation product by 1-10%. The linaclotide oxidation product may also be prepared by other methods known in the art, e.g., by isolation from linaclotide preparations using chromatographic techniques or by chemical peptide synthesis or recombinant expression of a nucleic acid encoding linaclotide followed by oxidation of the cysteine residues to form the disulfide linkages followed by reacting linaclotide with hydrogen peroxide or similar oxidizing reagent to form the linaclotide oxidation product.

Example 26: Linaclotide Tablet Formation Fluid Bed Granulation

Linaclotide, CaCl₂, leucine and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) K30 were dissolved in 0.0001N HCl to form the coating solution (see Table 9). Isomalt was charged to the bowl of the fluid bed. With fluidizing the isomalt powder, the drug solution was top-sprayed at a speed of ˜10 g/min, with product temperature of ˜40° C. to coat the powder with the coating solution. Upon finishing spraying, the linaclotide granules were dried for 30 minutes and the product was discharged.

TABLE 9 Cation Amine Amount Amount Binder Amount of Filler Example [ ] [ ] Amount Linaclotide Amount 26A CaCl₂ · 2H₂O Leucine PVP K30 3.08 g Isomalt 15.4 g 6.9 g 40 g 935 g [60] [30]

Dicalcium phosphate or Avicel were also used as filler for fluid bed granulation.

Wet Granulation

Linaclotide was weighed and dissolved under agitation in 250 g of 0.1 N HCl (pH 1.7) to form Solution 1 (see Table 10). CaCl₂ and leucine were weighed and dissolved under agitation in 100 g 0.1 N HCl to form Solution 2. Solution 1 and Solution 2 were mixed together under agitation to form the coating solution. Avicel was added to the bowl of a high shear granulator. With mixing at 500 rpm, the coating solution was added into the Avicel. Upon finishing adding the solution, the granules were mixed and chopped for 1 minute. The wet granules obtained were charged into the bowl of a fluid bed, and dried for 15 minute and then the linaclotide granules were discharged.

TABLE 10 Cation Amine Amount Amount Binder Amount of Filler Example [ ] [ ] Amount Linaclotide Amount 26B CaCl₂ · 2H₂O Leucine N/A 1.54 g Isomalt 7.68 g 3.42 g 488 g [60] [30]

In the wet granulation formula, the molar ratio of CaCl₂ and leucine to linaclotide was adjusted in the range of 60 to 100 and 30 to 50, respectively. Also, sucrose was added in one example. See Table 11.

TABLE 11 Strength (Linaclotide/ Example Filler) Filler CaCl₂:Leu:Linaclotide Sucrose HCl 26C 600 μg/225 mg Avicel  60:30:1 No 0.1N 26D 600 μg/225 mg Avicel  80:40:1 No 0.1N 26E 600 μg/225 mg Avicel 100:50:1 No 0.1N 26F 600 μg/225 mg Avicel  60:30:1 5% 0.1N

Tablet Formulation

The linaclotide granules were blended with the following excipients (see Table 12) and compressed into tablets with a hardness of ˜4 kp.

TABLE 12 Weight in Weight in Weight in Weight in 200 mg 400 mg 800 mg 1600 mg tablet with tablet with tablet with tablet with Ingredient 150 μg 300 μg 600 μg 1200 μg Function Linaclotide Linaclotide Linaclotide Linaclotide Linaclotide 53.4 mg 106.8 mg 213.6 mg 427.2 mg granules API Isomalt 134.1 mg 268.2 mg 536.4 mg 1072.8 mg Tablet filler Crospovidone 10 mg 20 mg 40 mg 80 mg Disintegrant Magnesium 1.5 mg 3 mg 6 mg 12 mg stearate Lubricant Talc 1 mg 2 mg 4 mg 8 mg Glidant Total of dry 200 mg 400 mg 800 mg 1600 mg material

Isomalt, starch 1500 or dicalcium phosphate were also used as the tablet filler based on the above formula (see Table 13).

TABLE 13 Granulation Filler CaCl₂:leucine:Linaclotide Tablet Filler Fluid bed isomalt  60:30:1 isomalt starch 1500 dicalcium phosphate Fluid bed Avicel  60:30:1 starch 1500 Wet granulation Avicel 100:50:1 starch 1500 Wet granulation Avicel  60:30:1 + 5% sucrose starch 1500

After two weeks storage at 40° C. and 75% relative humidity, all tablets described in Table 13 exhibited assay values of linaclotide is greater than 90%.

Examples 27-53: Preparation of Linaclotide Formulations

The linaclotide formulations of Examples 27-53 were produced essentially as described in Formulation Scheme A and Examples 1-15. The linaclotide coating solution contained 0.7% binder (w/v) and the coating solution was sprayed on CELPHERE CP-305 beads as described in Examples 1-15. Table 14 provides the type of cation, amine and/or other excipient along with their molar ratios relative to linaclotide, as well as the type of binder used, while Table 15 provides the conditions under which the beads were coated:

TABLE 14 Exam- Molar Addi- ple Cation Amine Ratio Binder tive 27 CaCl₂ · H₂O — 20:0:1 Hypromellose — 28 MnCl₂ · H₂O — 20:0:1 Hypromellose — 29 KCl — 20:0:1 Hypromellose — 30 AlCl₃ · 6H₂O — 20:0:1 Hypromellose — 31 CaCl₂ · 2H₂O Leucine 60:30:1 Hypromellose — 32 Ca Alginate Leucine 60:30:1 Hypromellose — 33 CaHPO₄ Leucine 60:30:1 Hypromellose — 34 Ca Stearate Leucine 60:30:1 Hypromellose — 35 CaSO₄ · 2H₂O Leucine 60:30:1 Hypromellose — 36 Zn(OAc)₂ Leucine 60:30:1 Hypromellose — 37 CaCl₂ · 2H₂O Isoleucine 60:30:1 Hypromellose — 38 CaCl₂ · 2H₂O Valine 60:30:1 Hypromellose — 39 CaCl₂ · 2H₂O Methionine 60:30:1 Hypromellose — 40 CaCl₂ · 2H₂O Phenyl- 60:30:1 Hypromellose — alanine 41 — Histidine  0:20:1 Hypromellose — 42 — Tryptophan  0:20:1 Hypromellose — 43 CaCl₂ · 2H₂O —  0:20:1:20 Hypromellose Vita- (Vit. E) min E 44 — 1-amino-  0:20:1 Hypromellose — cyclohexane carboxylic acid 45 — cyclohexy-  0:20:1 Hypromellose — lamine 46 — 2-methyl-  0:20:1 Hypromellose — butylamine 47 — chitosan  0:20:1 Hypromellose — 48 CaCl₂ · 2H₂O Leucine 60:30:1 Polyvinyl — pyrrolidone 49 CaCl₂ · 2H₂O Leucine 60:30:1 Methyl — cellulose (Methocel A15) 50 CaCl₂ · 2H₂O Leucine 60:30:1 Hydroxypropyl — cellulose 51 NaCl — 20:0:1 Hypromellose — 52 CaCl₂ · 2H₂O Leucine 60:30:1 Gelatin — 53 CaCl₂ · 2H₂O Glycine 60:30:1 Hypromellose — * “Cation” refers to the cation contained in the salt used in the example, “Amine” refers to the sterically hindered primary amine, “Molar Ratio” refers to the molar ratio of the cation:amine:linaclotide:Additive (if applicable).

TABLE 15 Product Inlet Atomization Spraying Temp Spray rate Pressure Air Example Temp (° C.) (° C.) (g/min) (psig) Flow 27 25.1-35.1 37.0-50.1 0.44-0.62 20 Low 28 24.1-35.8 37.3-50.9 0.30-0.61 18-20 Low 29 28.1-34.7 37.6-47.8 0.50-0.63 18 Low 30 29.8-35.0 33.9-50.2 0.32-0.47 20 Low 31 25.5-35.1 34.6-50.4 0.40-0.61 20 Low 33 30.4-35.2 38.7-51.0 0.48-0.52 20 Low 35 29.9-34.9 37.8-50.4 0.37-0.76 20 Low 36 29.9-35.4 38.0-50.1 0.38-0.50 21 Low 37 27.3-34.9 36.2-50.1 0.45-0.54 20 Low 38 27.6-36.2 36.9-47.3 0.43-0.66 20 Low 39 30.1-35.8 40.6-47.1 0.30-0.48 20 Low 40 31.7-37.5 41.3-51.0 0.40-0.67 18 Low 41 29.4-36.2 41.7-49.5 0.48-0.53 20 Low 42 31.0-38.6 42.4-51.2 0.52-0.64 20 Low 44 31.0-37.6 39.5-48.8 0.40-0.46 18 Low 45 28.7-36.5 37.1-49.2 0.49-0.61 18 Low 46 28.6-35.2 37.1-47.2 0.39-0.53 18 Low 47 33.4-38.7 40.6-48.5 0.48-0.47 18-26 Low 48 31.6-36.1 41.6-46.7 0.36-0.72 18 Low 49 28.5-36.5 36.8-48.1 0.45-0.51 18 Low 50 27.9-36.4 37.1-48.6 0.35-0.60 18 Low 51 29.3-37.9 36.7-49.2 0.42-0.55 18 Low 52 29.8-36.3 36.1-49.1 0.44-0.54 18 Low 53 28.9-35.8 36.5-47.7 0.45-0.52 18 Low

Processing issues were experienced during spraying on the beads for examples 32 (Calcium Alginate), 34 (Calcium Stearate) and 43 (CaCl₂:Vitamin E). Thus, the coating solution was mixed with the CELPHERE beads and the beads were dried on a tray.

Example 54: Linaclotide Formulation Stability Testing

For the formulations of Examples 27-53, gelatin capsules were filled with approximately 225 mg of active beads (600 μg linaclotide/capsule). Five filled capsules were placed in plastic bottles. The bottles contained 1 g of desiccant and were induction sealed. The bottles were stored at 40° C./75% RH for three months or six months.

Linaclotide content (μg/mg) and percent chromatographic purity (% CP) were measured essentially as described in Example 21 or by an equivalent method. Results are provided in Table 16A (three months stability) or Table 16B (six month stability).

TABLE 16A Assay [w/w] % CP Example % of Initial * % CP [% of Initial] 27 96.30 93.98% 98.07 28 96.82 93.59% 96.07 29 101.56 92.71% 95.40 30 109.06 93.07% 95.76 31 103.59 95.98% 99.12 32 66.53 82.66% 85.27 33 96.81 91.94% 93.55 34 30.75 55.47% 56.88 35 101.37 93.07% 95.02 36 105.27 91.49% 93.45 37 109.22 95.73% 97.99 38 99.24 95.79% 97.59 39 95.22 95.76% 97.82 40 102.98 95.68% 97.60 41 110.92 94.03% 96.30 42 120.05 88.57% 91.65 43 58.51 70.99% 74.06 44 98.83 93.84% 96.88 45 91.72 90.07% 93.71 46 90.17 89.45% 91.67 47 105.70 88.59% 91.31 48 106.92 95.11% 97.62 49 96.48 94.62% 96.60 50 112.30 95.86% 98.98 51 102.92 91.80% 99.79 52 108.12 83.10% 86.80 53 104.22 95.25% 97.95 * Variability in the values for Assay [w/w % of Initial] reflects the imperfect control over content uniformity for these capsule lots, which manufactured at small scale.

It is believed that the difficulties encountered during processing and the resulting modified processing procedure for Examples 32, 34 and 43 (see above) could explain the lower stability observed in these samples.

TABLE 16B Assay [w/w] Area % by HPLC % of Linaclotide Formaldehyde Example Initial (% of Initial) Oxidation Hydrolysis Imine 27 91.58 89.68 0.09 0.60 1.59 (93.58) 28 93.36 88.44 0.24 0.41 1.55 (90.78) 29 93.73 87.79 0.18 0.53 1.82 (90.34) 30 108.63 93.93 0.39 1.11 0.44 (96.65) 31 94.53 86.83 — 0.41 0.98 (89.67) 32 69.28 73.15 0.97 1.93 1.69 (75.46) 33 88.91 85.96 0.97 3.86 0.17 (87.46) 34 77.37 70.42 0.67 0.99 1.78 (72.21) 35 95.34 88.85 0.39 1.80 0.33 (90.71) 36 102.83 87.27 3.31 1.86 0.21 (89.14) 37 99.33 87.23 — 0.59 0.25 (89.29) 38 93.97 86.27 — 0.42 0.45 (87.89) 39 87.78 85.23 — 0.40 0.31 (87.07) 40 94.36 86.28 — 0.46 0.41 (88.01) 41 104.28 90.04 0.33 1.61 0.52 (92.22) 42 117.92 76.85 0.14 1.21 0.10 (79.52) 43 54.21 59.54 5.92 4.44 1.83 (62.12) 44 92.56 90.24 0.16 1.47 0.54 (93.17) 45 76.23 79.57 0.17 0.87 1.22 (82.78) 46 73.07 78.92 0.51 0.66 0.65 (80.88) 47 97.65 82.73 0.92 0.60 2.68 (85.27) 48 93.94 85.24 0.05 0.69 0.20 (87.49) 49 51.65 63.46 0.96 0.58 2.24 (64.79) 50 104.75 92.61 — 0.38 0.48 (95.62) 51 94.15 88.19 — 0.58 1.35 (92.01) 52 100.06 72.81 0.06 0.49 0.41 (75.62) 53 95.74 89.80 0.06 0.36 1.40 (92.35)

Chromatographic purity values for Examples 27-53 at the six-month time point appear atypically low, particularly with respect to the three-month time points for these samples. Relative trends for stabilizing or destabilizing effects can be established by comparison with Example 27 and Example 31 as internal reference experiments, for which the chromatographic purity values are approximately 6-8% lower than consistently observed in other studies that have been conducted (see, e.g., Examples 2 and 9). The three month data provided in Table 16A for the same formulations shows more typical chromatographic purity values. Thus, the low chromatographic purity values at six months are likely due to an insufficient desiccant capacity at six months for these particular storage conditions. This hypothesis is supported by the impurity peaks that are observed and that are indicative of exposure to moisture.

Example 55: Linaclotide Formulation Stability Testing at 25° C./60% RH for 24 Months

For the formulations of Examples 8-15 and 17, gelatin capsules were filled with approximately 225 mg of active beads. Five filled capsules were placed in plastic bottles. The bottles contained 1 g of desiccant and were induction sealed. The bottles were stored at 25° C./60% RH for 24 months.

Linaclotide content and purity as well as the amount of linaclotide-related substances were measured essentially as described in Example 21 or by an equivalent method. Results are provided in Table 17.

TABLE 17 Assay [w/w] Area % by HPLC % of Linaclotide Formaldehyde Example Initial (% of Initial) Oxidation Hydrolysis Imine  8 94.36 94.58 0.21 1.26 0.53 (101.7)  9 94.08 95.09 0.14 0.36 0.93 (97.86) 10 80.80 87.82 0.38 0.26 3.77 (90.84) 10a ¹⁾ 89.29 91.55 0.50 0.39 1.60 (94.95 10b ²⁾ 88.41 91.19 0.44 0.34 1.61 (95.02) 10c ³⁾ 72.35 72.36 0.30 0.26 19.13 (75.76) 11 87.50 90.25 1.03 0.42 1.94 (92.82) 12 62.82 66.77 2.20 1.24 2.11 (68.62) 13 90.59 93.79 1.21 0.65 0.77 (95.93) 14 91.41 94.88 0.18 0.47 0.65 (97.09) 15 90.91 90.31 0.17 0.56 1.64 (96.18) 17 91.45 92.92 0.71 0.56 0.73 (96.81) ¹⁾ As for Example 10 with additional protective coating of Aquacoat (Aquacoat Ethylcellulose Aquaeous Dispersion, 15% w/w, FMC Biopolymer, ECD-30) ²⁾ As for Example 10 with additional protective coating of Opadry (Opadry AMB dispersion, 20% w/w, Colorcon). ³⁾ As for Example 10 with additional protective coating of Eudragit (Eudragit E PO, Degussa, Roehm Pharma Polymers; SLS, Stearic Acid)

Example 56: Linaclotide Tablet Formulation and Stability Testing

Active linaclotide granules were made by fluid bed granulation essentially as described in Example 26 using the reagents described in Table 18. The linaclotide granules were blended with the excipients described in Table 19 and compressed into tablets with a hardness of ˜4 kp.

35 tablets were packaged in a 60 cc bottle with 5 gram desiccant and stored at 40° C./75% RH for up to 3 months or 30° C./65% RH for up to 3 months.

Linaclotide content and purity as well as the amount of linaclotide-related substances were measured essentially as described in Example 21 or by an equivalent method. Results are provided in Table 20.

TABLE 18 Granule, 150 μg Ingredients Function linaclotide/53.7 mg granules Linaclotide API 0.15 mg Mannitol, USP Granule filler 50 mg Leucine, USP Stabilizer 0.64 mg CaCl₂ · 2H₂O, USP Stabilizer 0.72 mg PVP K30, USP Binder 2.2 mg HCl solution (pH 2.5) — —

TABLE 19 Ingredients Function Tablet (200 mg total weight) Linaclotide granules Active 53.4 Isomalt, USP Tablet filler 134.1 Croscarmellose Sodium, USP Disintegrant 10 Magnesium stearate, USP Lubricant 1.5 Talc, USP Glidant 1.0

TABLE 20 Condition Time Change in Assay % Total Degradation 40° C./75% RH Initial 100 2.27 40° C./75% RH 1 month 96.2 2.09 40° C./75% RH 2 months 102 2.15 40° C./75% RH 3 months 99.5 1.52 30° C./65% RH 3 months 100.1 1.19

Example 57: Linaclotide Capsule Formulation

The linaclotide formulation of Example 57 was produced essentially as described in Example 16. Table 21 provides the coating solution ingredients and their theoretical weights (mg/g) and (kg/Batch) for the complete Linaclotide Beads Drug Layer Solution. Table 22 provides the ingredients and theoretical weights (mg/g) and (kg/Batch) for the preparation for the Linaclotide Active Beads. The linaclotide formulation was encapsulated in hard gelatin capsules, size 2 (weight 61 mg), essentially as described in Example 20. The 150 μg linaclotide capsules contained 56 mg linaclotide beads (600 μg linaclotide/225 mg beads) while the 300 μg linaclotide capsules contained 113 mg linaclotide beads (600 μg linaclotide/225 mg beads).

TABLE 21 Theoretical Theoretical Weight Weight Ingredients Function (mg/g) (kg/batch) Linaclotide API 2.67 0.067 CaCl₂ · 2H₂O, USP, Stabilizer 15.41 0.385 EP, BP, JP L-Leucine, USP Stabilizer 6.87 0.172 Hydroxypropyl Binder 7.00 0.175 Methylcellulose, USP (Methocel E5 Premium LV) Purified Water, USP — — 16.666 HCl (36.5-38.0), NF — — 0.114

TABLE 22 Theoretical Theoretical Weight Weight Ingredients Function (mg/g) (kg/batch) Linaclotide Beads Coating 31.95 0.799 Drug Layer Solution solution Microcrystalline Beads 968.05 24.201 cellulose spheres NF (Celphere CP-305) Final Total: Active beads 1000 25.000 Linaclotide Beads, 600 μg/225 mg) 

1. A pharmaceutical composition comprising linaclotide and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, wherein the chromatographic purity of the linaclotide decreases by less than 10% after (a) 18 months of storage of the pharmaceutical composition at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant or (b) 6 months of storage of the pharmaceutical composition at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant.
 2. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, wherein the chromatographic purity of the linaclotide decreases by less than 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, or 4% after (a) 18 months of storage of the pharmaceutical composition at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant or (b) 6 months of storage of the pharmaceutical composition at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant.
 3. A unit dosage form of a pharmaceutical composition comprising linaclotide and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, wherein the chromatographic purity of the linaclotide decreases by less than 10% after (a) 18 months of storage of the unit dosage form at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant or (b) 6 months of storage of the unit dosage form at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant.
 4. The unit dosage form according to claim 3, wherein the chromatographic purity of the linaclotide decreases by less than 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5% or 4% after (a) 18 months of storage of the unit dosage form at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant or (b) 6 months of storage of the unit dosage form at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant.
 5. A sealed container comprising a plurality of unit dosage forms of a pharmaceutical composition comprising linaclotide and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient wherein the chromatographic purity of the linaclotide decreases by less than 10% after (a) 18 months of storage of the sealed container containing a desiccant at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity or (b) 6 months of storage of the sealed container containing a desiccant at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity.
 6. The sealed container according to claim 5, wherein the chromatographic purity of the linaclotide decreases by less than 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5% or 4% after (a) 18 months of storage of the sealed container containing a desiccant at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity or (b) 6 months of storage of the sealed container containing a desiccant at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity.
 7. A pharmaceutical composition comprising linaclotide and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, wherein the assay value for linaclotide determined on a weight/weight basis decreases by less than 10% after (a) 18 months of storage of the pharmaceutical composition at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant or (b) 6 months of storage of the pharmaceutical composition at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant.
 8. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 7, wherein the assay value for the linaclotide decreases by less than 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2% or 1% after (a) 18 months of storage of the pharmaceutical composition at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant or (b) 6 months of storage of the pharmaceutical composition at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant.
 9. A unit dosage form of a pharmaceutical composition comprising linaclotide and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, wherein the assay value for linaclotide determined on a weight/weight basis decreases by less than 10% after (a) 18 months of storage of the unit dosage form at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant or (b) 6 months of storage of the unit dosage form at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant.
 10. The unit dosage form according to claim 9, wherein the assay value for the linaclotide decreases by less than 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2% or 1% after (a) 18 months of storage of the unit dosage form at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant or (b) 6 months of storage of the unit dosage form at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant.
 11. A sealed container comprising a plurality of unit dosage forms of a pharmaceutical composition comprising linaclotide and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient wherein the assay value for linaclotide in the unit dosage forms determined on a weight/weight basis decreases by less than 10% after (a) 18 months of storage of the sealed container containing a desiccant at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity or (b) 6 months of storage the sealed container containing a desiccant at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity.
 12. The sealed container according to claim 11, wherein the assay value for the linaclotide decreases by less than 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2% or 1% after (a) 18 months of storage the sealed container containing a desiccant at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity or (b) 6 months of storage the sealed container containing a desiccant at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity.
 13. The unit dosage form according to any one of claim 3-4 or 9-10, wherein each unit dosage form contains from 50 μg to 2 mg linaclotide.
 14. The sealed container according to any one of claim 5-6 or 11-12, wherein each unit dosage form contains from 50 μg to 2 mg linaclotide.
 15. The pharmaceutical composition according to either of claim 1 or 2, wherein the chromatographic purity of the linaclotide decreases by less than 10% after (a) 24 months of storage of the pharmaceutical composition at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant or (b) 6 months of storage of the pharmaceutical composition at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant.
 16. The unit dosage form according to either of claim 3 or 4, wherein the chromatographic purity of the linaclotide decreases by less than 10% after (a) 24 months of storage of the unit dosage form at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant or (b) 6 months of storage of the unit dosage form at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant.
 17. The sealed container according to either of claim 5 or 6, wherein the chromatographic purity of the linaclotide decreases by less than 10% after (a) 24 months of storage of the pharmaceutical composition at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant or (b) 6 months of storage of the pharmaceutical composition at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant.
 18. The pharmaceutical composition according to either of claim 7 or 8, wherein the assay value of the linaclotide decreases by less than 10% after (a) 24 months of storage of the pharmaceutical composition at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant or (b) 6 months of storage of the pharmaceutical composition at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant.
 19. The unit dosage form according to either of claim 9 or 10, wherein the assay value of the linaclotide decreases by less than 10% after (a) 24 months of storage of the unit dosage form at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant or (b) 6 months of storage of the unit dosage form at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant.
 20. The sealed container according to either of claim 11 or 12, wherein the assay value of the linaclotide decreases by less than 10% after (a) a first 24 months of storage of the sealed container containing a desiccant at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity or (b) 6 months of storage of the sealed container containing a desiccant at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity.
 21. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, linaclotide and one or more agents selected from (i) a cation selected from Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺ or Al³⁺, or (ii) a sterically hindered primary amine, wherein the agent improves at least one attribute of the composition, relative to a pharmaceutical composition without said agent, after (a) a first 18 months of storage of the pharmaceutical composition at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant or (b) a first 6 months of storage of the pharmaceutical composition at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant, wherein said attribute is selected from a decrease in the rate of degradation of linaclotide as measured by linaclotide content, a decrease in the rate of degradation of linaclotide as measured by chromatographic purity of linaclotide, a decrease in the amount of a linaclotide oxidation product relative to the amount of linaclotide, a decrease in the amount of a linaclotide hydrolysis product relative to the amount of linaclotide, or a decrease in the amount of a linaclotide formaldehyde imine product of linaclotide relative to the amount of linaclotide.
 22. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 21, wherein said agent is Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺ or Al³⁺.
 23. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 22, wherein said Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺ or Al³⁺ is provided as magnesium acetate, magnesium chloride, magnesium phosphate, magnesium sulfate, calcium acetate, calcium chloride, calcium phosphate, calcium sulfate, zinc acetate, zinc chloride, zinc phosphate, zinc sulfate, manganese acetate, manganese chloride, manganese phosphate, manganese sulfate, potassium acetate, potassium chloride, potassium phosphate, potassium sulfate, sodium acetate, sodium chloride, sodium phosphate, sodium sulfate, aluminum acetate, aluminum chloride, aluminum phosphate or aluminum sulfate.
 24. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 23, wherein said Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺ or Al³⁺ is provided as magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, calcium phosphate, calcium sulfate, zinc acetate, manganese chloride, potassium chloride, sodium chloride or aluminum chloride.
 25. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 22, wherein said agent is Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ or Zn²⁺.
 26. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 25, wherein said Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ or Zn²⁺ is provided as magnesium chloride, calcium chloride or zinc acetate.
 27. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 22, wherein said agent is Ca²⁺.
 28. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 27, wherein said Ca²⁺ is provided as calcium chloride.
 29. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 21, wherein said agent is a sterically hindered primary amine.
 30. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 29, wherein the sterically hindered primary amine is an amino acid.
 31. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 30, wherein the amino acid is a naturally-occurring amino acid.
 32. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 31, wherein the naturally-occurring amino acid is histidine, phenylalanine, alanine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, glutamine, leucine, methionine, asparagine, tyrosine, threonine, isoleucine, tryptophan or valine.
 33. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 32, wherein the naturally-occurring amino acid is histidine, phenylalanine, leucine, methionine, isoleucine, tryptophan or valine.
 34. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 33, wherein the naturally-occurring amino acid is leucine, isoleucine, alanine or methionine.
 35. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 34, wherein the naturally-occurring amino acid is leucine or methionine.
 36. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 35, wherein the naturally-occurring amino acid is leucine.
 37. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 30, wherein the sterically hindered primary amine is a non-naturally occurring amino acid or an amino acid derivative.
 38. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 37, wherein the non-naturally occurring amino acid is 1-aminocyclohexane carboxylic acid, lanthanine or theanine.
 39. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 29, wherein the sterically hindered primary amine has the formula:

wherein R₁, R₂ and R₃ are independently selected from: H; —C(O)OH; C₁-C₆ alkyl, optionally substituted by —CO₂H, —CONH₂, or a 5-10 membered aryl or heteroaryl; C₁-C₆ alkoxyalkyl; or C₁-C₆ thioalkoxyalkyl, wherein any of the alkyl or aryl groups above can be singly or multiply substituted with halogen or —NH₂, and provided that no more than two of R₁, R₂ and R₃ are H.
 40. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 39, wherein the sterically hindered primary amine is cyclohexylamine or 2-methylbutylamine.
 41. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 29, wherein the sterically hindered primary amine is a polymeric amine.
 42. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 41, wherein the polymeric amine is chitosan.
 43. The pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 29-42, wherein said pharmaceutical composition further comprises Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺ or Al³⁺.
 44. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 43, wherein said Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺ or Al³⁺ is provided as magnesium acetate, magnesium chloride, magnesium phosphate, magnesium sulfate, calcium acetate, calcium chloride, calcium phosphate, calcium sulfate, zinc acetate, zinc chloride, zinc phosphate, zinc sulfate, manganese acetate, manganese chloride, manganese phosphate, manganese sulfate, potassium acetate, potassium chloride, potassium phosphate, potassium sulfate, sodium acetate, sodium chloride, sodium phosphate, sodium sulfate, aluminum acetate, aluminum chloride, aluminum phosphate or aluminum sulfate.
 45. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 44, wherein said Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺ or Al³⁺ is provided as magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, calcium phosphate, calcium sulfate, zinc acetate, manganese chloride, potassium chloride, sodium chloride or aluminum chloride.
 46. The pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 29-42, wherein said pharmaceutical composition further comprises Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ or Zn²⁺.
 47. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 46, wherein said Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ or Zn²⁺ is provided as magnesium chloride, calcium chloride or zinc acetate.
 48. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 46, wherein said pharmaceutical composition further comprises Ca²⁺.
 49. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 48, wherein said Ca²⁺ is provided as calcium chloride.
 50. The pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 21-49, further comprising an antioxidant.
 51. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 50, wherein said antioxidant is BHA, vitamin E or propyl gallate.
 52. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, linaclotide, a cation selected from Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺ or Al³⁺, and a sterically hindered primary amine.
 53. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 52, wherein said Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺ or Al³⁺ is provided as magnesium acetate, magnesium chloride, magnesium phosphate, magnesium sulfate, calcium acetate, calcium chloride, calcium phosphate, calcium sulfate, zinc acetate, zinc chloride, zinc phosphate, zinc sulfate, manganese acetate, manganese chloride, manganese phosphate, manganese sulfate, potassium acetate, potassium chloride, potassium phosphate, potassium sulfate, sodium acetate, sodium chloride, sodium phosphate, sodium sulfate, aluminum acetate, aluminum chloride, aluminum phosphate or aluminum sulfate.
 54. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 53, wherein said Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺ or Al³⁺ is provided as magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, calcium phosphate, calcium sulfate, zinc acetate, manganese chloride, potassium chloride, sodium chloride or aluminum chloride.
 55. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 52, wherein said cation is selected from Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ or Zn²⁺.
 56. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 55, wherein said Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ or Zn²⁺ is provided as magnesium chloride, calcium chloride or zinc acetate.
 57. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 55, wherein said cation is Ca²⁺.
 58. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 57, wherein said Ca²⁺ is provided as calcium chloride.
 59. The pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 52-56, wherein the sterically hindered primary amine is an amino acid.
 60. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 59, wherein the amino acid is a naturally-occurring amino acid.
 61. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 60, wherein the naturally-occurring amino acid is histidine, phenylalanine, alanine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, glutamine, leucine, methionine, asparagine, tyrosine, threonine, isoleucine, tryptophan, methionine or valine.
 62. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 61, wherein the naturally-occurring amino acid is histidine, phenylalanine, leucine, methionine, isoleucine, tryptophan or valine.
 63. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 62, wherein the naturally-occurring amino acid is leucine, isoleucine, alanine or methionine.
 64. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 63, wherein the naturally-occurring amino acid is leucine.
 65. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 52, wherein the sterically hindered primary amine is a non-naturally occurring amino acid or an amino acid derivative.
 66. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 65, wherein the non-naturally occurring amino acid is 1-aminocyclohexane carboxylic acid, lanthanine or theanine.
 67. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 52, wherein the the sterically hindered primary amine has the formula:

wherein R₁, R₂ and R₃ are independently selected from: H; —C(O)OH; C₁-C₆ alkyl, optionally substituted by —CO₂H, —CONH₂, or a 5-10 membered aryl or heteroaryl; C₁-C₆ alkoxyalkyl; or C₁-C₆ thioalkoxyalkyl, wherein any of the alkyl or aryl groups above can be singly or multiply substituted with halogen or —NH₂, and provided that no more than two of R₁, R₂ and R₃ are H.
 68. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 67, wherein the sterically hindered primary amine is cyclohexylamine or 2-methylbutylamine.
 69. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 52, wherein the sterically hindered primary amine is a polymeric amine.
 70. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 69, wherein the sterically hindered primary amine is chitosan.
 71. The pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 52-70, further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable glidant, lubricant or additive that acts as both a glidant and lubricant.
 72. The pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 52-71 further comprising an antioxidant.
 73. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 72, wherein said antioxidant is BHA, vitamin E or propyl gallate.
 74. The pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 52-73, further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable binder.
 75. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 74 wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable binder is selected from polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone (povidone), a starch, maltodextrin or a cellulose ether.
 76. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 75 wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable binder is a cellulose ether.
 77. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 76 wherein the cellulose ether is selected from: methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.
 78. The pharmaceutical composition of any of claims 52-77, further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable filler.
 79. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 78, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable filler is cellulose, isomalt, mannitol or dibasic calcium phosphate.
 80. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 79 wherein the cellulose is selected from microfine cellulose and microcrystalline cellulose.
 81. The pharmaceutical composition of any of claims 78-80, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable filler comprises particles having an average diameter between 150 μm and 1000 μm.
 82. The pharmaceutical composition of any of claims 52-81, wherein pharmaceutical composition comprises a filler and the weight ratio of linaclotide to pharmaceutically acceptable filler is between 1:25 and 1:2,500.
 83. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 82, wherein the weight ratio of linaclotide to pharmaceutically acceptable filler is between 1:100 and 1:2000.
 84. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 83, wherein the weight ratio of linaclotide to pharmaceutically acceptable filler is between 1:100 and 1:1000.
 85. The pharmaceutical composition of any of claims 52-84 wherein the sterically hindered amine is leucine and the molar ratio of leucine to linaclotide is at least 10:1.
 86. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 85 wherein the molar ratio of leucine to linaclotide is at least 20:1.
 87. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 86 wherein the molar ratio of leucine to linaclotide is at least 30:1.
 88. The pharmaceutical composition of any of claims 52-87 wherein the cation is Ca²⁺ and the molar ratio of Ca²⁺ to leucine is at least 1:1.
 89. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 88, wherein the molar ratio of Ca²⁺ to leucine is at least 1.5:1.
 90. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 89 wherein the molar ratio of Ca²⁺ to leucine is at least 2:1.
 91. The pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 52-84, wherein the molar ratio of cation:sterically hindered primary amine:linaclotide is 40-100:20-50:1.
 92. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 91, wherein the cation is Ca²⁺ and the sterically hindered primary amine is leucine.
 93. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 92, wherein the molar ratio of Ca²⁺:leucine:linaclotide is 100:30:1, 80:40:1, 80:30:1, 80:20:1, 60:30:1, 60:20:1, 50:30:1, 50:20:1, 40:20:1, 20:20:1, 10:10:1, 10:5:1, 5:10:1 or 5:5:1.
 94. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 93, wherein the molar ratio of Ca²⁺:leucine:linaclotide is 60:30:1.
 95. The pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 92-94, wherein Ca²⁺ is provided as CaCl₂.
 96. A unit dosage form comprising the pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 92-95.
 97. The unit dosage form according to claim 96, wherein each unit dosage form comprises 50 μg to 1 mg linaclotide.
 98. The unit dosage form according to claim 97, wherein each unit dosage form is a capsule or tablet, and wherein said unit dosage form comprises 67.5 μg, 100 μs, 133 μg, 150 μg, 200 μs, 266 μg, 300 μg, 400 μs, 500 μg or 600 μg linaclotide.
 99. A method for preparing a pharmaceutical composition comprising linaclotide or a salt thereof, the method comprising: (a) providing an aqueous solution comprising: (i) linaclotide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof (ii) one or more of a cation selected from Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺ or Al³⁺ or a sterically hindered primary amine; and, (iii) optionally, a pharmaceutically acceptable binder; and (b) applying the aqueous solution to a pharmaceutically acceptable filler to generate linaclotide-coated filler.
 100. The method of claim 99, wherein the aqueous solution comprises a sterically hindered primary amine.
 101. The method of claim 99, wherein said Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺ or Al³⁺ is provided as magnesium acetate, magnesium chloride, magnesium phosphate, magnesium sulfate, calcium acetate, calcium chloride, calcium phosphate, calcium sulfate, zinc acetate, zinc chloride, zinc phosphate, zinc sulfate, manganese acetate, manganese chloride, manganese phosphate, manganese sulfate, potassium acetate, potassium chloride, potassium phosphate, potassium sulfate, sodium acetate, sodium chloride, sodium phosphate, sodium sulfate, aluminum acetate, aluminum chloride, aluminum phosphate or aluminum sulfate.
 102. The method of claim 101, wherein said Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺ or Al³⁺ is provided as magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, calcium phosphate, calcium sulfate, zinc acetate, manganese chloride, potassium chloride, sodium chloride or aluminum chloride.
 103. The method of claim 99, wherein said cation is selected from Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ or Zn²⁺.
 104. The method of claim 103, wherein said Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ or Zn²⁺ is provided as magnesium chloride, calcium chloride or zinc acetate.
 105. The method of claim 103, wherein said cation is Ca²⁺.
 106. The method of claim 105, wherein said Ca²⁺ is provided as calcium chloride.
 107. The method of claim 99, wherein the sterically hindered primary amine is an amino acid.
 108. The method of claim 107, wherein the amino acid is a naturally-occurring amino acid.
 109. The method of claim 108, wherein the naturally-occurring amino acid is histidine, phenylalanine, alanine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, glutamine, leucine, methionine, asparagine, tyrosine, threonine, isoleucine, tryptophan, methionine or valine.
 110. The method of claim 109, wherein the naturally-occurring amino acid is histidine, phenylalanine, leucine, methionine, isoleucine, tryptophan or valine.
 111. The method of claim 110, wherein the naturally-occurring amino acid is leucine, isoleucine, alanine or methionine.
 112. The method of claim 111, wherein the naturally-occurring amino acid is leucine.
 113. The method of claim 99, wherein the sterically hindered primary amine is a non-naturally occurring amino acid or an amino acid derivative.
 114. The method of claim 113, wherein the non-naturally occurring amino acid is 1-aminocyclohexane carboxylic acid, lanthanine or theanine.
 115. The method of claim 99, wherein the sterically hindered primary amine has the formula:

wherein R₁, R₂ and R₃ are independently selected from: H; —C(O)OH; C₁-C₆ alkyl, optionally substituted by —CO₂H, —CONH₂, or a 5-10 membered aryl or heteroaryl; C₁-C₆ alkoxyalkyl; or C₁-C₆ thioalkoxyalkyl, wherein any of the alkyl or aryl groups above can be singly or multiply substituted with halogen or —NH₂, and provided that no more than two of R₁, R₂ and R₃ are H.
 116. The method of claim 115, wherein the sterically hindered primary amine is cyclohexylamine or 2-methylbutylamine.
 117. The method of claim 99, wherein the sterically hindered primary amine is a polymeric amine.
 118. The method of claim 117, wherein the sterically hindered primary amine is chitosan.
 119. The method according to claims 99-118, wherein the aqueous solution further comprises an antioxidant.
 120. The method of claim 119, wherein said antioxidant is BHA, BHT, vitamin E, propyl gallate, ascorbic acid and salts or esters thereof, tocopherol and esters thereof, alpha-lipoic acid or beta-carotene.
 121. The method of claim 99, wherein the aqueous solution comprises both the cation selected from Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺ or Al³⁺ and the sterically hindered primary amine.
 122. The method of claim 121, wherein said Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺ or Al³⁺ is provided as magnesium acetate, magnesium chloride, magnesium phosphate, magnesium sulfate, calcium acetate, calcium chloride, calcium phosphate, calcium sulfate, zinc acetate, zinc chloride, zinc phosphate, zinc sulfate, manganese acetate, manganese chloride, manganese phosphate, manganese sulfate, potassium acetate, potassium chloride, potassium phosphate, potassium sulfate, sodium acetate, sodium chloride, sodium phosphate, sodium sulfate, aluminum acetate, aluminum chloride, aluminum phosphate or aluminum sulfate.
 123. The method of claim 122, wherein said Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺ or Al³⁺ is provided as magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, calcium phosphate, calcium sulfate, zinc acetate, manganese chloride, potassium chloride, sodium chloride or aluminum chloride.
 124. The method of claim 121, wherein said cation is selected from Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ or Zn²⁺.
 125. The method of claim 124, wherein said Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ or Zn²⁺ is provided as magnesium chloride, calcium chloride or zinc acetate.
 126. The method of claim 124, wherein said cation is Ca²⁺.
 127. The method of claim 126, wherein said Ca²⁺ is provided as calcium chloride.
 128. The method of claim 121, wherein the sterically hindered primary amine is an amino acid.
 129. The method of claim 128, wherein the amino acid is a naturally-occurring amino acid.
 130. The method of claim 129, wherein the naturally-occurring amino acid is histidine, phenylalanine, alanine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, glutamine, leucine, methionine, asparagine, tyrosine, threonine, isoleucine, tryptophan, methionine or valine.
 131. The method of claim 130, wherein the naturally-occurring amino acid is histidine, phenylalanine, leucine, methionine, isoleucine, tryptophan or valine.
 132. The method of claim 131, wherein the naturally-occurring amino acid is leucine, isoleucine, alanine or methionine.
 133. The method of claim 132, wherein the naturally-occurring amino acid is leucine.
 134. The method of claim 121, wherein the sterically hindered primary amine is a non-naturally occurring amino acid or an amino acid derivative.
 135. The method of claim 134, wherein the non-naturally occurring amino acid is 1-aminocyclohexane carboxylic acid, lanthanine or theanine.
 136. The method of claim 121, wherein the sterically hindered primary amine has the formula:

wherein R₁, R₂ and R₃ are independently selected from: H; —C(O)OH; C₁-C₆ alkyl, optionally substituted by —CO₂H, —CONH₂, or a 5-10 membered aryl or heteroaryl; C₁-C₆ alkoxyalkyl; or C₁-C₆ thioalkoxyalkyl, wherein any of the alkyl or aryl groups above can be singly or multiply substituted with halogen or —NH₂, and provided that no more than two of R₁, R₂ and R₃ are H.
 137. The method of claim 136, wherein the sterically hindered primary amine is cyclohexylamine or 2-methylbutylamine.
 138. The method of claim 121, wherein the sterically hindered primary amine is a polymeric amine.
 139. The method of claim 138, wherein the sterically hindered primary amine is chitosan.
 140. The method according to claims 121-140, wherein the aqueous solution further comprises an antioxidant.
 141. The method of claim 140, wherein said antioxidant is BHA, BHT, vitamin E, propyl gallate, ascorbic acid and salts or esters thereof, tocopherol and esters thereof, alpha-lipoic acid or beta-carotene.
 142. The method of claim 141 wherein the antioxidant is BHA.
 143. The method of any one of claims 99-142, wherein the binder is present and is selected from polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone (povidone), a starch, maltodextrin or a cellulose ether.
 144. The method of claim 143 wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable binder is a cellulose ether.
 145. The method of claim 144 wherein the cellulose ether is selected from: methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.
 146. The method of any one of claims 99-145, wherein the filler is selected from cellulose, isomalt, mannitol or dibasic calcium phosphate.
 147. The method of claim 146, wherein the filler is microfine cellulose or microcrystalline cellulose.
 148. The method of any one of claims 99-147, wherein the aqueous solution is applied to the filler by spraying.
 149. The method of any one of claims 99-147, wherein the aqueous solution is applied to the filler by mixing.
 150. The method of any one of claims 99-149, wherein the weight ratio of linaclotide to pharmaceutically acceptable filler is between 1:100 and 1:2500.
 151. The method according to claim 150, wherein the weight ratio of linaclotide to pharmaceutically acceptable filler is between 1:100 and 1:1000.
 152. The method according to any one of claims 121-151, wherein the molar ratio of cation:sterically hindered primary amine:linaclotide is 40-100:20-30:1.
 153. The method according to claim 152, wherein the cation is Ca²⁺.
 154. The method according to claim 152, wherein the sterically hindered primary amine is leucine.
 155. The method according to claim 152, wherein the cation is Ca²⁺ and the sterically hindered primary amine is leucine, and the molar ratio of Ca²⁺:leucine:linaclotide is 100:30:1, 80:40:1, 80:30:1, 80:20:1, 60:30:1, 60:20:1, 50:30:1, 50:20:1, 40:20:1, 20:20:1, 10:10:1, 10:5:1 or 5:5:1.
 156. The method according to claim 155, wherein the molar ratio of Ca²⁺:leucine:linaclotide is 60:30:1.
 157. The method according to any one of claims 152-156, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable filler is selected from cellulose, isomalt, mannitol or dibasic calcium phosphate.
 158. The method according to claim 157, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable filler is microfine cellulose or microcrystalline cellulose.
 159. The method according to any one of claims 152-158, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable binder is polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone (povidone), a starch, maltodextrin or a cellulose ether.
 160. The method of claim 159 wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable binder is a cellulose ether.
 161. The method according to claim 160, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable binder is methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.
 162. The method according to any one of claims 99-161, wherein the method further comprises (c) applying a coating to the linaclotide-coated filler.
 163. The method according to claim 162, wherein said coating is selected from AQUACOAT, EUDRAGIT or OPADRY.
 164. The method according to any one of claims 99-163, wherein the linaclotide-coated filler is mixed with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable additives.
 165. The method according to any one of claims 99-164, further comprising tableting or encapsulating the linaclotide-coated filler in a tablet or capsule, respectively.
 166. The method according to claim 165, wherein said linaclotide-coated filler is encapsulated in a capsule.
 167. The method according to claim 166, wherein the capsule is a gelatin capsule.
 168. The method according to any one of claims 165-167, wherein each capsule or tablet contains 50 μg to 1 mg linaclotide.
 169. The method according to claim 168, wherein each capsule or tablet contains 50 μg, 67.5 μg, 100 μg, 133 μg, 150 μg, 200 μg, 266 μg, 300 μg, 400 μg, 500 μg or 600 μg linaclotide.
 170. The method according to claim 169, wherein each capsule or tablet contains 67.5 μg, 133 μg, 150 μg, 266 μg or 300 μg linaclotide.
 171. A method for treating a patient suffering from impaired intestinal motility, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, pain associated with constipation, dyspepsia, gastroparesis, chronic intestinal pseudo obstruction, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or inflammatory bowel disease, comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 1-98.
 172. The method according to claim 171, wherein said irritable bowel syndrome is constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome or alternating irritable bowel syndrome.
 173. The method according to claim 172, wherein said irritable bowel syndrome is constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.
 174. The method according to claim 171, wherein said constipation is chronic constipation, idiopathic constipation, post-operative ileus, or constipation caused by opiate use.
 175. The method according to claim 174, wherein said constipation is chronic constipation.
 176. The method according to any one of claims 171-175, wherein the pharmaceutical composition contains 50 μg to 1 mg linaclotide.
 177. The method according to claim 176, wherein the pharmaceutical composition contains 50 μg, 67.5 μg, 100 μg, 133 μg, 150 μg, 200 μg, 266 μg, 300 μg, 400 μg, 500 μg or 600 μg linaclotide.
 178. The method according to claim 177, wherein the pharmaceutical composition contains 67.5 μg, 133 μg, 150 μg, 266 μg or 300 μg linaclotide.
 179. The method according to any one of claims 171-178, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is administered once daily, twice daily, three times daily or four times daily.
 180. The method according to claim 179, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is administered once daily or twice daily.
 181. The method according to claim 180, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is administered once daily.
 182. The method according to claim 181, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is administered once daily as one or two tablets or capsules.
 183. The method according to claim 182, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is administered as a single tablet or capsule.
 184. A composition that is at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40% or at least 50% by weight a hydrolysis product of linaclotide.
 185. The composition of claim 184 wherein the composition is at least 60%, at least 70% or at least 80% by weight a hydrolysis product of linaclotide.
 186. The composition of claim 185 wherein the composition is at least 90%, at least 95% or at least 98% by weight a hydrolysis product of linaclotide.
 187. A composition that is at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40% or at least 50% by weight an oxidation product of linaclotide.
 188. The composition of claim 187 wherein the composition at least 60%, at least 70% or at least 80% by weight an oxidation product of linaclotide.
 189. The composition of claim 188 wherein the composition is at least 90%, at least 95% or at least 98% by weight an oxidation product of linaclotide.
 190. A composition that is at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40% or at least 50% by weight a formaldehyde imine product of linaclotide.
 191. The composition of claim 190 wherein the composition is at least 60%, at least 70% or at least 80% by weight a formaldehyde imine product of linaclotide.
 192. The composition of claim 191 wherein the composition is at least 90%, at least 95% or at least 98% by weight a formaldehyde imine product of linaclotide.
 193. A method for assessing the purity of a pharmaceutical formulation comprising linaclotide, the method comprising: (a) providing a sample of the pharmaceutical formulation comprising linaclotide; (b) measuring the amount of at least one degradation product in the sample selected from the group consisting of: an oxidation product of linaclotide, a hydrolysis product of linaclotide and a formaldehyde imine product of linaclotide; and (c) comparing the measured amount of the oxidation product of linaclotide, the hydrolysis product of linaclotide and/or the formaldehyde imine product of linaclotide to a reference standard amount of the oxidation product of linaclotide, the hydrolysis product of linaclotide or the formaldehyde imine product to assess the purity of the pharmaceutical formulation.
 194. A method for identifying an impurity in a sample comprising linaclotide comprising: (a) providing a reference sample comprising a reference marker and linaclotide; (b) carrying out HPLC on the reference sample to determine the relative retention time of the reference marker compared to linaclotide; (c) carrying out HPLC on the sample comprising linaclotide to determine the relative retention time of the impurity compared to linaclotide; (d) comparing the relative retention times determined in steps (b) and (c); where, if the relative retention times are substantially the same, the impurity is identified as being the same as the reference marker; wherein the reference marker is selected from the group consisting of an oxidation product of linaclotide; a hydrolysis product of linaclotide or a formaldehyde imine product of linaclotide.
 195. A method for determining the amount of an impurity in a sample of linaclotide comprising: (a) adding a known amount of a reference sample to the linaclotide sample; (b) subjecting the linaclotide sample to HPLC; (c) identifying and measuring the area of an HPLC peak associated with the impurity; (d) identifying and measuring the area of an HPLC peak associated with the reference standard; (e) calculating the amount of the impurity in the linaclotide sample based on the results of step (c) and (d); wherein the reference sample is selected from the group consisting of an oxidation product of linaclotide; a hydrolysis product of linaclotide or a formaldehyde imine product of linaclotide.
 196. A method for determining the amount of an impurity in a sample of linaclotide comprising: (a) providing a sample of linaclotide containing an unknown concentration of the impurity; (b) providing a sample of a known concentration of the impurity; (c) subjecting at least a portion of the linaclotide sample and at least a portion of the impurity sample to HPLC; (d) measuring the area of the impurity peaks obtained from the linaclotide sample and the impurity sample; and (e) calculating the amount of the impurity in the linaclotide sample based on the measurements of step (d); wherein the impurity is selected from the group consisting of an oxidation product of linaclotide; a hydrolysis product of linaclotide or a formaldehyde imine product of linaclotide.
 197. The pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claim 1, 2, 15 or 21-95, the unit dosage form according to any one of claim 3, 4, 16 or 96-98, or the sealed container according to any one of claim 5, 6, 17 or 238, wherein a hydrolysis product having a structure of

comprises less than 2% by weight compared to the weight of the linaclotide.
 198. The pharmaceutical composition, unit dosage form or sealed container according to claim 197, wherein the hydrolysis product comprises less than 1% by weight or less than 0.5% by weight compared to the weight of the linaclotide.
 199. The pharmaceutical composition, unit dosage form or sealed container according to claim 198, wherein the hydrolysis product comprises less than 0.1% by weight or less than 0.05% by weight compared to the weight of the linaclotide.
 200. The pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claim 1, 2, 15 or 21-95, the unit dosage form according to any one of claim 3, 4, 16 or 96-98, or the sealed container according to any one of claim 5, 6, 17 or 238, wherein a formaldehyde imine product having a structure of

comprises less than 2% by weight compared to the weight of the linaclotide.
 201. The pharmaceutical composition, unit dosage form or sealed container according to claim 200, wherein the formaldehyde imine product comprises less than 1% by weight or less than 0.5% by weight compared to the weight of the linaclotide.
 202. The pharmaceutical composition, unit dosage form or sealed container according to claim 201, wherein the formaldehyde imine product comprises less than 0.1% by weight or less than 0.05% by weight compared to the weight of the linaclotide.
 203. The pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claim 1, 2, 15 or 21-95, the unit dosage form according to any one of claim 3, 4, 16 or 96-98, or the sealed container according to any one of claim 5, 6, 17 or 238, wherein a linaclotide oxidation product having a molecular weight of 1542.8 comprises less than 2% by weight compared to the weight of the linaclotide.
 204. The pharmaceutical composition, unit dosage form or sealed container according to claim 203, wherein the linaclotide oxidation product comprises less than 1% by weight or less than 0.5% by weight compared to the weight of the linaclotide.
 205. The pharmaceutical composition, unit dosage form or sealed container according to claim 204, wherein the linaclotide oxidation product comprises less than 0.1% by weight or less than 0.05% by weight compared to the weight of the linaclotide.
 206. A pharmaceutical composition comprising linaclotide and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, wherein the chromatographic purity of the linaclotide is greater than or equal to 90% after (a) 18 months of storage of the pharmaceutical composition at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant or (b) 6 months of storage of the pharmaceutical composition at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant.
 207. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 206, wherein the chromatographic purity of the linaclotide is greater than or equal to 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95% or 96% after (a) 18 months of storage of the pharmaceutical composition at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant or (b) 6 months of storage of the pharmaceutical composition at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant.
 208. A unit dosage form of a pharmaceutical composition comprising linaclotide and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, wherein the chromatographic purity of the linaclotide is greater than or equal to 90% after (a) 18 months of storage of the unit dosage form at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant or (b) 6 months of storage of the unit dosage form at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant.
 209. The unit dosage form according to claim 208, wherein the chromatographic purity of the linaclotide is greater than or equal to 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95% or 96% after (a) 18 months of storage of the unit dosage form at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant or (b) 6 months of storage of the unit dosage form at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant.
 210. A sealed container comprising a plurality of unit dosage forms of a pharmaceutical composition comprising linaclotide and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient wherein the chromatographic purity of the linaclotide is greater than or equal to 90% after (a) 18 months of storage of the sealed container containing a desiccant at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity or (b) 6 months of storage of the sealed container containing a desiccant at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity.
 211. The sealed container according to claim 210, wherein the chromatographic purity of the linaclotide is greater than or equal to 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95% or 96% after (a) 18 months of storage of the sealed container containing a desiccant at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity or (b) 6 months of storage of the sealed container containing a desiccant at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity.
 212. A pharmaceutical composition comprising linaclotide and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, wherein the assay value for linaclotide determined on a weight/weight basis is greater than or equal to 90% after (a) 18 months of storage of the pharmaceutical composition at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant or (b) 6 months of storage of the pharmaceutical composition at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant.
 213. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 212, wherein the assay value for the linaclotide is greater than or equal to 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% after (a) 18 months of storage of the pharmaceutical composition at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant or (b) 6 months of storage of the pharmaceutical composition at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant.
 214. A unit dosage form of a pharmaceutical composition comprising linaclotide and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, wherein the assay value for linaclotide determined on a weight/weight basis is greater than or equal to 90% after (a) 18 months of storage of the unit dosage form at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant or (b) 6 months of storage of the unit dosage form at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant.
 215. The unit dosage form according to claim 214, wherein the assay value for the linaclotide is greater than or equal to 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% after (a) 18 months of storage of the unit dosage form at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant or (b) 6 months of storage of the unit dosage form at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant.
 216. A sealed container comprising a plurality of unit dosage forms of a pharmaceutical composition comprising linaclotide and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient wherein the assay value for linaclotide in the unit dosage forms determined on a weight/weight basis is greater than or equal to 90% after (a) 18 months of storage of the sealed container containing a desiccant at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity or (b) 6 months of storage the sealed container containing a desiccant at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity.
 217. The sealed container according to claim 216, wherein the assay value for the linaclotide is greater than or equal to 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% after (a) 18 months of storage the sealed container containing a desiccant at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity or (b) 6 months of storage the sealed container containing a desiccant at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity.
 218. The unit dosage form according to any one of claim 208-209 or 214-215 or the sealed container according to any one of claim 210-211 or 216-217, wherein each unit dosage form contains from 50 μg to 2 mg linaclotide.
 219. The unit dosage form or the sealed container according to claim 218, wherein each unit dosage form contains 67.5 μg, 100 μg, 133 μg, 150 μg, 200 μg, 266 μg, 300 μg, 400 μg, 500 μg or 600 μg linaclotide.
 220. The pharmaceutical composition according to either of claim 206 or 207, wherein the chromatographic purity of the linaclotide is greater than 90% after (a) 24 months of storage of the pharmaceutical composition at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant or (b) 6 months of storage of the pharmaceutical composition at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant.
 221. The unit dosage form according to either of claim 208 or 209, wherein the chromatographic purity of the linaclotide is greater than 90% after (a) 24 months of storage of the unit dosage form at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant or (b) 6 months of storage of the unit dosage form at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant.
 222. The sealed container according to either of claim 210 or 211, wherein the chromatographic purity of the linaclotide is greater than 90% after (a) a first 24 months of storage of the sealed container containing a desiccant at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity or (b) a first 6 months of storage of the sealed container containing a desiccant at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity.
 223. The pharmaceutical composition according to either of claim 212 or 213, wherein the assay value of the linaclotide is greater than 90% after (a) a first 24 months of storage of the pharmaceutical composition at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant or (b) a first 6 months of storage of the pharmaceutical composition at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant.
 224. The unit dosage form according to either of claim 214 or 215, wherein the assay value of the linaclotide is greater than 90% after (a) a first 24 months of storage of the unit dosage form at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant or (b) a first 6 months of storage of the unit dosage form at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity in a sealed container containing a desiccant.
 225. The sealed container according to either of claim 216 or 217, wherein the assay value of the linaclotide is greater than 90% after (a) a first 24 months of storage of the sealed container containing a desiccant at 25° C. at 60% relative humidity or (b) a first 6 months of storage of the sealed container containing a desiccant at 40° C. at 75% relative humidity.
 226. The pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claim 206, 207 or 223, the unit dosage form according to either of claim 208, 209 or 224, or the sealed container according to any one of claim 210, 211 or 225, wherein a hydrolysis product having a structure of

comprises less than 2% by weight compared to the weight of the linaclotide.
 227. The pharmaceutical composition, unit dosage form or sealed container according to claim 226, wherein the hydrolysis product comprises less than 1% by weight or less than 0.5% by weight compared to the weight of the linaclotide.
 228. The pharmaceutical composition, unit dosage form or sealed container according to claim 227, wherein the hydrolysis product comprises less than 0.1% by weight or less than 0.05% by weight compared to the weight of the linaclotide.
 229. The pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claim 206, 207 or 223, the unit dosage form according to any one of claim 208, 209 or 224, or the sealed container according to any one of claim 210, 211 or 225, wherein a formaldehyde imine product having a structure of

comprises less than 2% by weight compared to the weight of the linaclotide.
 230. The pharmaceutical composition, unit dosage form or sealed container according to claim 229, wherein the formaldehyde imine product comprises less than 1% by weight or less than 0.5% by weight compared to the weight of the linaclotide.
 231. The pharmaceutical composition, unit dosage form or sealed container according to claim 230, wherein the formaldehyde imine product comprises less than 0.1% by weight or less than 0.05% by weight compared to the weight of the linaclotide.
 232. The pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claim 206, 207 or 223, the unit dosage form according to any one of claim 208, 209 or 224, or the sealed container according to any one of claim 210, 211 or 225, wherein a linaclotide oxidation product having a molecular weight of 1542.8 comprises less than 2% by weight compared to the weight of the linaclotide.
 233. The pharmaceutical composition, unit dosage form or sealed container according to claim 225, wherein the linaclotide oxidation product comprises less than 1% by weight or less than 0.5% by weight compared to the weight of the linaclotide.
 234. The pharmaceutical composition, unit dosage form or sealed container according to claim 233, wherein the linaclotide oxidation product comprises less than 0.1% by weight or less than 0.05% by weight compared to the weight of the linaclotide.
 235. A unit dosage form comprising the pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 21-95.
 236. The unit dosage form according to claim 235, wherein said unit dosage form contains 50 to 1 mg linaclotide.
 237. The unit dosage form according to claim 236, wherein said unit dosage form is a capsule or tablet and wherein each unit dosage form contains 67.5 μg, 100 μg, 133 μg, 150 μg, 200 μg, 266 μg, 300 μg, 400 μg, 500 μg or 600 μg linaclotide.
 238. A sealed container comprising a plurality of unit dosage forms according to any one of claim 96-98 or 235-237.
 239. A method for treating irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-c) in an adult patient in need thereof, comprising administering to the patient once daily an effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 1-95.
 240. The method according to claim 239, wherein said effective amount is 266 μg linaclotide.
 241. The method according to claim 239, wherein said effective amount is 133 μg linaclotide.
 242. The method according to any one of claims 239-241, wherein said treating is for a period of at least one week.
 243. The method according to claim 242, wherein said treating is for a period of at least four weeks.
 244. The method according to claim 239, wherein said treating improves at least one symptom selected from reduced abdominal pain, an increase in the number of complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBM) in a week, an increase in the number of spontaneous bowel movements (SBM) in a week, improved stool consistency, reduced straining, reduced abdominal discomfort, reduced bloating or reduced IBS-c symptom severity.
 245. The method according to claim 244, wherein said treating improves at least one symptom selected from reduced abdominal pain, reduced abdominal discomfort or reduced bloating.
 246. The method according to claim 244, wherein said treating improves at least one symptom selected from an increase in the number of CSBM in a week, an increase in the number of spontaneous bowel movements SBM in a week, improved stool consistency or reduced straining.
 247. The method according to any one of claims 239-246, wherein a capsule or tablet comprises said pharmaceutical composition.
 248. A method for treating chronic constipation in an adult human patient in need thereof, comprising administering to the patient once daily an effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 1-95.
 249. The method according to claim 248, wherein said effective amount is 266 μg linaclotide.
 250. The method according to claim 248, wherein said effective amount is 133 μg linaclotide.
 251. The method according to any one of claims 248-250, wherein said treating is for a period of at least one week.
 252. The method according to claim 251, wherein said treating is for a period of at least four weeks.
 253. The method according to claim 248, wherein said treating improves at least one symptom selected from an increase in the number of complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBM) in a week, an increase in the number of spontaneous bowel movements (SBM) in a week, improved stool consistency, reduced straining, reduced abdominal discomfort, reduced bloating or reduced severity of constipation.
 254. The method according to claim 253, wherein said treating improves at least one symptom selected from reduced abdominal discomfort, reduced bloating or reduced severity of constipation.
 255. The method according to claim 253, wherein said treating improves at least one symptom selected from an increase in the number of CSBM in a week, an increase in the number of spontaneous bowel movements SBM in a week, improved stool consistency or reduced straining.
 256. The method according to any one of claims 248-255, wherein a capsule or tablet comprises said pharmaceutical composition.
 257. A method for preparing a pharmaceutical composition comprising linaclotide or a salt thereof, the method comprising: (a) providing a solution comprising: (i) linaclotide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof (ii) one or more of a cation selected from Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺ or Al³⁺ or a sterically hindered primary amine; and, (b) spray drying the solution to produce linaclotide microparticles.
 258. The method according to claim 257, wherein said solution is aqueous.
 259. The method according to claim 257, wherein said solution further comprises a binder or filler.
 260. A pharmaceutical composition comprising: linaclotide; Ca²⁺; leucine; and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, wherein the linaclotide is present in the pharmaceutical composition in an amount between 100 μg to 600 μg and the molar ratio of Ca²⁺:leucine:linaclotide is between 5-100:5-50:1.
 261. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 260, wherein the linaclotide is presented in an amount of 266 μg.
 262. The pharmaceutical composition of claims 260-261, wherein the Ca²⁺ is provided as CaCl₂.
 263. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 262, wherein the CaCl₂ is present in an amount of 1541 μg.
 264. The pharmaceutical composition of claims 260-263, wherein the leucine is present in an amount of 687 μg.
 265. The pharmaceutical composition of claims 260-264, wherein the hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is present in an amount of 700 μg.
 266. A pharmaceutical composition comprising coated beads, wherein the beads are coated with a coating solution comprising linaclotide.
 267. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 266, wherein the coating solution comprises: linaclotide; Ca²⁺; leucine; and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, wherein the linaclotide is present in the pharmaceutical composition in an amount between 100 μg to 600 μg and the molar ratio the of Ca²⁺:leucine:linaclotide is between 5-100:5-50:1.
 268. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 267, wherein the linaclotide is present in an amount of 266 μg.
 269. The pharmaceutical composition of claims 267-268, wherein the Ca²⁺ is provided as CaCl₂.
 270. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 269, wherein the CaCl₂ is present in an amount of 1541 μg.
 271. The pharmaceutical composition of claims 267-270, wherein the leucine is present in an amount of 687 μg.
 272. The pharmaceutical composition of claims 267-271, wherein the hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is present in an amount of 700 μg.
 273. The pharmaceutical composition of claims 267-272, wherein the beads comprise microcrystalline cellulose. 